The year's most reviled tourist attraction - the Millennium Dome in Greenwich - is enjoying a late surge in popularity.

A week before it closes its doors for the last time, the Dome is almost fully booked, sold out for all but its last two days.

One member of staff on the Dome's telephone booking line said demand was the "highest for months" as people seize their last chance to see what the attraction was really all about.

Ever since its inauspicious opening - when dozens of invited VIPs were left stranded on a freezing station platform - the Dome has attracted stinging criticism for its content and the amounts of public money spent keeping it afloat.

Earlier this month it welcomed its six millionth visitor, but the milestone was far short of the original target of 12 million visitors over the year.

Prime Minister's visit

However in the last days of 2000, demand is so high that a pre-recorded message on the attraction's booking line advises people to try booking on the internet to avoid long waits.

The attraction was sold out on Christmas Eve as thousands took advantage of a �1 admission day.

Two weeks ago Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a farewell visit to the Dome to say "a big thank you" to its staff.

Mr Blair said the Dome was now the second biggest paying visitor attraction in Europe - behind Euro Disney.

He told a meeting of staff: "Whatever the faults of the politicians you can be really proud of what you have achieved."

The government is now backing the sale of the Dome to Legacy PLC which plans to turn it into a high-tech business park.

As the prime minister's visit takes place the company says its first tenant has signed up for a space in the planned Knowledge City.