A battery-driven minitram is going on trial in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the vehicle does not require rails and is guided electronically around the streets by underground cables.

The trial will give commuters the chance to say what they think about the minitram and whether it could be part of a future transport system in Stratford.

The minitram was designed by Warwickshire company Transport Design International (TDI) and will be driven by Stratford Blue bus drivers.

'Zero emissions'

It will carry passengers on the hour, every hour from 1000 GMT to 1500 GMT, Mondays to Saturdays and there will be a flat rate fee of just 20p, 10p for concessions.

Martin Pemberton says the tram is ideal for Stratford

Martin Pemberton, from TDI, said: "The minitram will provide all the best features of a tram for the price of a bus.

"It has zero emissions, is very quiet and is capable of negotiating narrow streets - ideal for Stratford".

The trial has backing from a cross section of partners, including Stratford District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Stratford Blue, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the West Midlands Regional Assembly.

Julie Crawshaw, environment engineer from Warwickshire County Council, said: "I hope this trial stimulates some interesting debate about the future of public transport in Stratford.

"This is a trial of a prototype, a one-off vehicle still under development. I hope people will come with an open mind and contribute to the debate."