Marion opts for life in the slow lane (From Western Telegraph)

Marion opts for life in the slow lane

East meets west on the streets of Tenby this summer when Pembrokeshire's pioneer rickshaw pedals into town.

Local guide and historian Marion Davies plans to steer this novel form of transport through the streets as a slow-paced antidote to hustle and bustle.

"This is going to be the ultimate in leisurely, sedate travel aboard a real Rolls Royce of rickshaws," she said this week.

Marion and her partner Mark Lewis, the assistant curator at Tenby Museum, were inspired to introduce a rickshaw to Tenby by their travels in the Far East.

"This is a British-made rickshaw, manufactured to a fantastic specification and was jolly expensive," said Marion.

"It's quite a head-turner and certainly draws a lot of amused smiles."

When not walking round Tenby with groups on her ghost and historical walks, Marion hopes to be plying for rickshaw trade in the town centre - and also plans to hire it out for weddings.

"I'm not one of life's natural cyclists, but I will have 24 gears to help me along," she said. "There is a tiny hub motor, but it only comes into play if I travel up hill, and I don't plan to do much of that!"

Tomorrow (Thursday) Pembrokeshire County Council's licensing committee is due to grant Marion a hackney carriage licence for the rickshaw, and she plans to take to the road next month.

"It will be a brave moment for me when I ride out on my first official journey," she admitted. "But I just love the whole idea and hope people will too."