TUK tuks are a familiar sight in Thailand but will now be hitting the streets of Fordingbridge and surrounding areas.

Take a Tuk Tuk is a family-run business that has been started up by husband and wife Shaun and Nikki Manston

The tuk tuks are available to hire for weddings, private parties, proms and guided tours around the New Forest villages.

“It is very quirky,” said Shaun, who has lived in the town all his life. “It is all about having fun.

“It has been brilliant, we have had lots of local support from friends and family.”

Shaun, who is a carpenter by trade, says the new venture came about after a “chance meeting” in Cornwall.

He said: “I'm approaching the big 50 and decided to rest my aching joints and do something completely different.

“We happened to be in Newquay in Cornwall and bumped into a guy who owned this business. We just bumped into him by chance and he said he was selling the business and we bought it back to the New Forest.”

Shaun hopes the tours will also benefit businesses by attracting more visitors to the town.

He added: “The town has struggled over the last few years but there are lots of businesses opening up which is fantastic. We thought it would bring something cool and fun to the local area to attract holidaymakers to the town.”

Shaun says the tuk tuks have turned lots of heads when he has been out and about. He has thanked other businesses in the area for their support, particularly The Gourmet Grocer, EPS Design and Print, Best Disco Events and Ringwood Flexigoods.

For more information go to takeatuktuk.co.uk