Council chiefs have commissioned a study to see how low emission vehicles, which are used in other parts of the world, would work in Preston.

City bosses say a shuttle service is needed to take visitors and shoppers across the city centre, especially in pedestrianised areas, once the Tithebarn development is completed in 2014.

It is envisaged the minibus sized vehicles will transport passengers between the railway station, university and Fishergate.

A feasibility study is being carried out with Lancashire County Council to assess possible routes and the best type of vehicle to use.

Hydrogen powered buses, low emission diesel vehicles and electric shuttle buses are among those being considered.

Town hall chiefs also believe the scheme could become self-financing after an initial outlay.

One option being discussed is making the shuttles free for people who buy a train or bus ticket into the city, which in turn would encourage thousands more to use public transport and leave the car at home.

Alternatively, those using the shuttles could be asked to pay a small charge.

Preston Council's assistant director of city projects, Mike Brogan, said: "What we are saying is we need a shuttle for the city centre.

"When Tithebarn is built, the actual city centre will be quite big. We are very concerned, for instance, that a lot of people say 'I come by bus and I can't walk down to the Fishergate Centre'.

"One of the things we want to look at is can we have some system, not of moving people into the city, but moving them around the city centre.

"It would be speed limited because we don't want fast vehicles running through pedestrianised areas.

"This is something the city wants to do as a spin-off to Tithebarn to make sure people can access all of the city."

Mr Brogan said the system could be similar to that in Rome, where electric shuttle buses are used to transport passengers on a circular route through narrow backstreets to popular tourist destinations.

Low-emission hybrid buses also operate in Denver, USA, while a Belfast-based company is supplying a hi-tech hybrid bus to Nevada.

Council leader Ken Hudson added: "We are looking for green transport for the city."

Council investigations into the shuttle were revealed by a transport assessment prepared for the Tithebarn project planning application.

It says introduction of the electric shuttle buses is being examined alongside a mini-tram system running along the old docks railway.

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