The number of visitors to the controversial arts centre The Public has almost doubled in the past 12 months, it emerged today.

The West Bromwich gallery has welcomed more than 230,000 people through its doors since the start of January, compared with 126,000 last year.

The figure represents an 83 per cent increase on the previous year.

The news has been welcomed by staff at the £72 million gallery, which opened less than two-and-a-half years ago.

The project has received criticism after it ran £49m over budget and critics branded it a waste of money.

Managing director Linda Saunders said today the increase was down to factors including the gallery’s choice of exhibitions, word of mouth, partnerships with schools and increasing use by community groups.

The gallery’s events programme, which includes comedy, music and theatre performances, was also highlighted as playing a key part.

Mrs Saunders said: “No-one is going to say it didn’t cost a lot of money but The Public is being widely used by the local community.”