Llandudno's famous trams have been promised a �4m facelift.

The future of the Great Orme Tramway had been in doubt following two accidents in the last two years.

But Conwy councillors have voted to go-ahead with plans for a huge redevelopment of the service.

The top half of the Great Orme service has been out of action since April when two trams collided head on, injuring 17 people.

Safety concerns were also raised after another accident in 1998 when a tram hit a car.

Although some Conwy councillors had called for the service to be axed altogether, many voted yesterday to approve a �4m refurbishment plan.

But it is not likely to be an overnight improvement.

The work would take 10 years and the local authority will have to fund half of the project itself with the rest of the money coming from the lottery or Europe.

But the commitment means the trams will not yet be consigned to the history books.