LONG-suffering Metrolink passengers deserve better than "American knock-offs" to ease congestion.

So says Prestwich councillor Tim Pickstone, who is angry that measures to tackle over-crowding will not happen for another year.

"The situation is getting ridiculous," said the Lib Dem member for Holyrood. "The trams are just too crowded in the morning and evening rush-hours.

"The council says it wants more people to get out of their cars and use public transport, but this is just sending the wrong message."

Greater Manchester transport bosses are considering two options. The first is to build centre sections to existing trams, but a prototype would have to be designed. The second is to buy redundant trams from San Francisco and convert them. Two are being purchased for trials.

"This simply isn't satisfactory," said Coun Pickstone. "This is not a new problem and it's something that should have been sorted out years ago.

"Money has been found for new lines and for station improvements and it can be found for some more trams! We pay a lot to use Metrolink and deserve better than "knock-off" trams from San Francisco."