The Great Glass House at Middleton

The �43m Millennium project is adopting the less formal title of Middleton from the 18th Century mansion house and park where the project has been built in Carmarthenshire.

It is also making changes modelled on the huge success of Cornwall's Eden Project as it battles to make the attraction more visitor friendly.

Middleton's chief operating officer Evelyn Thurlby says the focus will now be on increasing the number of tourists.

These have dropped from a high of 220,000 in the opening year to around 175,000 this year.

Ms Thurlby has herself been recruited from the Eden Project, which has not the same problems getting people through its doors.

Botanic gardens: The facts Middleton cost - �43m Eden cost - �87m Middleton opened - May 2000 Eden opened - March 2001 Middleton visitors 2002 - 175,000 Eden visitors 2002 - 2m

Although it cost twice as much to build it has enjoyed visitor numbers of around 2m in the past year.

She believes once people visit Middleton they will see it has plenty to offer as well.

Operating costs

"To me this place has what is the holy grail of the visitor destination - it has a sense of place," she said.

"I get a buzz out of driving to work every morning.

"If people would give us a try having seen Eden they would probably leave us saying they wanted to come back many times, versus what we are told about the visitors to Eden which is they do not feel a sense to go back."

The Eden Project in Cornwall

Middleton has recently received �1m from the Welsh Assembly to cover operating costs and help with the new marketing drive.

The latest cash injection from the assembly follows �360,000 provided last year to help the garden after a drop in visitor numbers

Prince Charles officialy opened Middleton in May 2000 at the end of a three year construction project. Its giant glass greenhouse designed by Sir Norman Foster provided the main talking point.

Middleton has prided itself on the educational and research facilities developed there - including a Biotechnium to nurture small businesses.

With the focus now more on tourism changes this year will include the opening of the first phase of the new walled garden as well as specific trails making it easier for people to find their way about.

According to Dave Meneer, marketing director at Eden, a name is vital in helping to get people to visit.

"We have had Americans and Australians looking to do similar projects asking us can we help with a name," he said.