CHRISTMAS shoppers will be able to let this train take the strain as they travel between Bolton town centre stores.

The 'road train' will be chugging around Bolton's pedestrianised precinct saving the public's weary legs through December.

The train - running on rubber tyres instead of tracks - is at the centre of plans revealed by the Bolton Town Centre Partnership to make festive shopping as easy as possible this year.

The Bolton Belle will be on line from Monday, December 2, operating daily six days a week.

Travelling at speeds of about four miles per hour the twice-hourly service will transport up to 48 passengers to various stop-off points.

It will include one covered carriage and one open carriage, guided by drivers employed by Timeline buses.

Town centre manager Maria Appleton said: "This is going to be great for Bolton. I'm sure parents and children are going to enjoy it." The road train has been hired from Bowness-on-Windermere where it is a popular summer attraction. Fares will be 50p per journey and accompanied children will travel free. The exact route of the train is yet to be finalised.

The Town Centre Partnership has also announced plans for a park-and-ride scheme during the Christmas countdown. APCOA car parks limited will operate secure car parking at British Aerospace, Lostock and another site close to the town centre each Saturday until Christmas from November 16.

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