The trams will collect passengers every six minutes

The project to create a new tram system, which began in June 2000, is already two months behind schedule, but directors expect a launch for passengers in early 2004.

The trials mark the first time that trams have been seen in the city centre since 5 September, 1936.

Nottingham Express Transit executive director Neil Bates said: "It's been a long time coming but it's a magnificent achievement and it will be a wonderful sight to see these splendid vehicles moving through the city's streets.

Overhead cables

"It's exciting to see such an ambitious project come to fruition and I only hope people aren't too frustrated that they won't be able to get on board until next year.

"There is still a lot of testing to do, especially in the city centre, but it is very pleasing to get the first runs through."

The first tram left the NET depot in Basford at 0500 BST with carriages expected to run along tracks, powered by new overhead cables, for most of the day.

Passenger services had been due to begin on 11 November, but preparations were hit by a four-week suspension of track testing due to a derailment caused by a points failure in May.

Arrow Light Rail Ltd, the consortium that will run the system, is thought to have lost about �3m as a result.