Visitors to Newquay will be able to jump on board electric tuk tuks after a company was granted a licence to operate them by Cornwall Council.

Nubeez had previously been granted a licence to operate the three-wheel vehicles in Newquay last summer.

However when granting the licence councillors asked that the tuk tuks be modified so that they could have doors added to improve the safety of passengers.

Nubeez had agreed to this but then found that it was difficult to add doors to the vehicles that they planned to use.

As a result they submitted a fresh application for alternative tuk tuks that do have doors and could be used on the streets of Newquay and the surrounding area.

On Friday the council’s miscellaneous licensing committee agreed to grant the licence for two tuk tuks to be used for private hire in and around Newquay.

While Nubeez will be starting its operations in Newquay the company has plans to eventually expand into Padstow, Fowey and St Ives.

Steven Webb, from Tukshop, which will supply the vehicles to Nubeez, said that the electric tuk tuks have been authorised for use in the UK.

He said that while there were other tuk tuk services in the UK they were using petrol powered vehicles and said that the Cornwall scheme would be one of the first to use electric tuk tuks.

Mr Webb told the committee: “They are ready to go and we are very excited to be introducing them in your community.”

He explained to councillors that the tuk tuks can go up to 37 miles per hour but said that with two passengers were more likely to travel at 30mph. If used in eco mode the vehicles can go 15mph.

Dr Prasad Raja, one of the owners of Nubeez, said that the tuk tuk service would be aimed at tourists and give them a new way of getting around the Newquay area and tour the area.

He said that they aimed to offer the service in Newquay and going out to Watergate Bay, Crantock, Cubert and St Columb Major.

In response to a question from councillors he said that there were no plans to allow passengers to take surfboards on the tuk tuks.

The committee agreed to grant the licence for two tuk tuks to be operated by Nubeez in Newquay with seven votes in favour, none against and one abstention.