Midland Metro trams tested ahead of taking passengers

The first five vehicles in a new fleet of hi-tech Midland Metro trams are undergoing tests prior to going into service.

A total of 20 trams, which have been built in Spain, at a cost £40m, will be part of the line extension through Birmingham city centre.

Geoff Inskip, chief executive of Centro, said they look "special" and are more comfortable.

Driver Paul Barefoot described them as the tram equivalent of a BMW.

The first trams in the fleet start taking passengers in the summer but members of the public can look around one of them at Snow Hill station in Birmingham on Saturday.