IT might have sounded like a wheely bizarre idea.

But rickshaws to ferry around weary shoppers, which made their debut in Bolton town centre last summer, are here to stay.

The novelty transport proved a big hit during a trial run in August, using colourful contraptions borrowed from Oldham Council which had imported them all the way from India.

The initiative was a first for the North-west and Bolton Town Centre Company was so impressed with the reaction from weary shoppers that they have bought two rickshaws of their own.

They take delivery from India next month and hope the pedal power will add to existing shopping attractions throughout the summer months.

Karen Wheeldon, town centre company managing director, said: "All the feedback we had last year was very positive. Even if seeing them just brightens people's day it's something that's a bit different.

"It certainly helped people get around the town but it was more fun than anything."

Using rickshaws was the brainchild of Lorna Fulton, officer for town arts group Percent for Arts, who admits people were sceptical when she first suggested it.

"Everybody laughed and said it sounded a bit mad," she told the BEN. "But it's the only way to travel! It's environmentally friendly and more importantly it's fun and unusual."

But Lorna had the last laugh, with the exotic cycles attracting national publicity.

The rickshaws are operated between fixed stops around the town centre and cannot be hailed like taxis. Each one can hold two people.

Rickshaw drivers have to be specially trained to manoeuvre the cumbersome vehicles safely around the streets.

The rickshaw route is: Great Moor Street, Bradshawgate, Deansgate, Bridge Street, Corporation Street, Knowsley Street, Deansgate, Howell Croft North, Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft South, Ashburner Street and Black Horse Street.