BLACKPOOL'S famous trams are about to receive a face-lift for the year 2000.

Blackpool Transport will soon launch two Millennium Class tramcars - a single and double deck - with more to follow.

Engineering manager Mike Francis said: "We have for a number of years kept the tramcar fleet going with a programme of investment in rebuilding which has ensured our trams operate safely along the Promenade.

"But now the time has come to look at modern technological advances and see how they can be integrated into our fleet."

The double deck tramcar, 707, has been updated with easy-to-read destination displays and more comfortable seats while the single deck, 642, has been completely stripped and rebuilt, boasting double glazed windows and bright trim.

Managing director of Blackpool Transport Tony Depledge said: "The nature of our fleet is such that vehicles evolve into quite different tramcars each time they are rebuilt.

"The advances in design and technology that have been embodied into this latest batch of vehicles will see the Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway well equipped for the Millennium."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.