DUP MLA Jim Wells has described it as a "pity" that Titanic Belfast is only offering free tickets to the public this Sunday and not across an entire weekend "so everyone would have the chance to visit".

As a thank you for support over the past year, which saw the landmark building named the world's leading tourist attraction, Titanic Belfast is offering people a chance to visit the centre for free on Sunday.

While the offer generated a huge response, South Down MLA Mr Wells expressed his disappointment the free offering was only for a day.

"Disappointing that the Titanic Centre's Free Entry Day is this Sunday. Surely, free entry could also have been available on Saturday?" he tweeted.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he said he had been contacted by a constituent who could not take up the offer because of church commitments. Mr Wells said as a Christian and church-goer, he would not be availing of the offer either.

"I don't want to have a go at Titanic," he said.

"I have been many times and it is a marvellous attraction. Its visitor numbers since it opened have been staggering for Northern Ireland and everything it does just oozes class.

"But I just thought it was a pity they did not make the offer across an entire weekend instead of just a Sunday. Even if it was the same number of tickets.

"There are a large number of people in Northern Ireland that are Christian and like to keep Sunday as the day of worship and that can't go. But I wouldn't criticise anyone who did go on a Sunday.

"I just think it would have been good that everyone could have the chance to apply for a ticket."

Mr Wells added: "I know this is not the most pressing issue of the day, especially for the DUP or anyone else. I just thought this was a pity."

Titanic Belfast was asked for a comment but hadn't responded last night. Free tickets for Sunday are limited and available from Titanic Belfast's website.

Belfast Telegraph