FLEXI-buses were out and about in Worcester last week offering residents a glimpse of the transport of the future.

A tram bus - named StreetCar - spent the morning testing the W1, W2 and W3 park-and-ride routes on Friday to trial the journeys and let people examine the new design.

The buses, which bend in the middle, boast two entry points, wheelchair access space, conventional seating and perches to provide support for those who prefer to stand, as well as automated ticketing and CCTV cameras.

Transport bosses are now hoping to sort out a week-long trial in January for shoppers and workers in the city to be able to ride the £300,000 StreetCar.

Worcestershire County Council's head of passenger transport, Pete Browne, said: "It is a radically new concept to complement the new Worcester Express scheme.

"The drive to double the number of regular bus passengers over the next year is definitely on."

Park-and-ride passenger numbers have increased two-and-a-half times since the scheme was relaunched in September and the flexi-buses, which could be introduced next year, will be able to transport more people.