Passengers face a two month wait

The announcement has been made by Carillion, the firm responsible for laying the tracks.

It was supposed to be launched in November but now the trams will not run until the new year.

In a statement to the stock market on Thursday, Carillion blamed what it called a series of integration "niggles" for the delay.

Christmas shoppers

It has made provision for losses of about �10m as a result.

Since the announcement the company's share price has fallen by about 10%.

Nottingham Express Transit (NET) said the delay will mean the trams miss the Christmas rush.

Stephen Barker from NET told the BBC: "There is no getting away from it this is a great disappointment to the promoters that it won't be open on time.

"The Christmas issue is very valid that it won't be available for city centre retailers to use as their Christmas marketing.

"We won't be able to attract people into Nottingham to ride the trams.

"But, of course the trams will be running, they will be doing their full timetable test running so there will be something for visitors to see."