HEATON Park Tramway will re-open on Saturday, June 5 with a VIP first tram.

Pop impresario and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman will officially launch the first tram back in operation since the winter lockdown and ride on the first tram at 11.30am.

Keith Whitmore, chairman of Heaton Park Tramway Company said: 'I am delighted that trams will again operate in the park for the first time this year.

“Our volunteers have been busy at work over the last few weeks to prepare the tramway for regular operation again.

“Each trip will be Covid safe with social distancing measures in place and will operate every weekend during the summer months.”

Pete Waterman said: “I am really looking forward to riding on the first tram of the year especially as this will be the newly overhauled Stockport 5 tram, after a lengthy seven year overhaul.”

The original Heaton Park line was made popular when scores of schoolchildren used to be taken out of the city centre for improving trips to the grounds of Heaton Hall. The tram shed there, converted from a long-standing shelter, has been a museum since 1976.