CARRIAGE wheels are once again to roll over the cobbled streets of one of Suffolk’s best-loved towns - with the return of horse-drawn tours in Bury St Edmunds.

The re-introduction of horse-drawn carriages to the market town has been greeted with delight by a number of residents, who watched on with smiles as the EADT climbed aboard for a preview ride yesterday.

The new service - which has been backed by tourism bosses at St Edmundsbury Borough Council and will begin next Wednesday - will take passengers on a leisurely tour of some of the town’s best sights - including the Abbey Gatehouse, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, the Norman Tower and The Theatre Royale.

Each ride lasts about 20 minutes.

Visitors will see the town unfurl before them from the comfort of a restored 60-year-old waggonette, which holds up to six passengers.

Tour organiser Duncan Drye, 61, said: “It is pulled by two experienced Comptois horses, which look like smaller Suffolk Punches.

“We love making a special occasion of our rides and the driver and groom will be able to tell our passengers stories about the route and about working with horses.

“We look forward to being in Bury,” said Mr Drye.

Sharon Fairweather, tourism officer in Bury, said: “I am delighted that visitors will have a chance to experience our lovely historic town at the same pace as the Georgians who built so much of it. I am sure they will prove very popular.”

Both horses were rescued from the abattoirs of the Continental meat market and are currently living in Nowton Park.

Tickets will cost �5 for an adult, � for accompanied children under 12 or �20 for a family ticket of two adults and up to three children. They are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Angel Hill on 01284 764667.

Mr Drye will be running tours every half an hour on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am until 4pm.