This is the way the news is being delivered around York these days - on the three wheels of a heavy load tricycle.

Copies of your Evening Press are being delivered to newsagents and news stands across the city centre by way of these environmentally-friendly vehicles.

Couriers ride the trikes with attached trailers, the strongest of which can take a quarter of a ton in weight, from our Walmgate offices with the latest copies of the newspaper and ferry them to various destinations.

They have been introduced by three local couples who have pooled their resources to set up Wheel Alternatives Ltd.

And Graham and Elaine Horne from Bishopthorpe, Chris and Carrie Hamm from Leeman Road, and Mick Thomas and Judy Gray from Fulford, are also offering other transport alternatives.

There are traditional Indian-style rickshaws available for weddings, fairs and even for use by schools.

Also there is the Banana Bugs service which uses British-built people carriers to take up to two adults and one child to restaurants, the railway station and the theatre, as well as taking visitors on city tours.

Graham Horne said he was delighted to be offering the trike newspaper delivery service: "We believe that green businesses can be cost effective," he said. "The Evening Press has given us a real chance to show what we can do. They have also displayed a social responsibility to go for the green option. It will be good for the environment, good for the people and good for the city."

Don Piggott, Evening Press sales operation manager, said: "We have the daily challenge of York's overcrowded streets and growing traffic restrictions and we are delighted to be able to use a distribution service which is both safe and environmentally friendly."

The booking hotline is on 01904 338338.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.