Crowds packed into the town centre to see Swindon's first tram would hardly believe that 100 years later authorities in the town again would be looking to bring back the electric transport system.

Swindon Mayor James Hilton took the controls of the tram on September 22, 1904, and the vehicle was packed with dignitaries and representatives of the companies involved in the construction of the system.

Decades later, the trams were consigned to history to be replaced with buses.

But, with the problem of congestion on Swindon's roads increasing, the new 30 Year Vision for the town again envisages the return of the tram, in the form of the new Ultra Light Rapid Transit which will cover the town in a figure of eight and link Old Town, New Town and North Star

The unique photograph of the bearded mayor addressing the crowds in the town 96 years ago is featured in a new book produced by members of Swindon Society.

It describes how the dignitaries on board the tram enjoyed a lunch in the GWR station refreshment rooms as guest of the mayor and Tramway and Electricity Works employees were also provided with a lunch at the same time.

The book A Century of Swindon offers a fascinating pictorial record of events, places and people who have lived in the town over the last 100 years.

A Century of Swindon was compiled by four Society members David Bedford, Brian Bridgeman, Paul Williams and Jean Allen and is the ninth the Society has put together.

"Several of our previous books have been at the top of the local best seller lists and we are hoping of course that this one will also be a winner," said Brian Bridgeman.

He said that the book gives an insight into the daily lives and living conditions of local people over the past 100 years.

A Century of Swindon can only be purchased from WH Smiths and is priced at £14.99. On the evenings of November 9 and November 16 the authors will be at the Regent Street store between 6pm and 7pm to sign copies of the book.