THERE'S a new way to travel when visiting the famous Tintern Abbey - and you'll be travelling in style.

Brockweir farmer Ron Peacey is just a fortnight away from launching a new business venture - the first in Monmouthshire - driving visitors round the beauty spot in his six-person horse-drawn carriage.

And Monmouthshire county council's licensing committee has investigated and drawn up a table of fares for horse-drawn carriages, especially for Mr Peacey.

With the help of Billy, his five-year-old Irish cob, Mr Peacey believes he has found a niche in the already booming Wye Valley tourism market.

He said: "I did some checking, and the abbey and the Old Station tourist information centre in Tintern are each visited by about 80,000 people every year.

"So I'm going to taxi people back and forth between the two - the route is just over a mile and is very pretty.

"Everyone in the area knows how important tourism is to our communities so I hope this will prove popular."

The Mr Peacey, 60, was inspired by his travels, saying: "I've always paid to have a go whenever there's been an opportunity to ride in a horse-drawn carriage, it's a real treat."

Mr Peacey has always kept horses but there's a special reason for him having a carriage.

He said: "I've never been very good at horse-riding so I got a carriage and drove instead. I've done some private driving in my time and I've wanted to make it my business for many years. Now I'm getting on a bit and want a quieter life, it's perfect for me.

"I've already got a few advance orders - the local vet has told me he wants to take his children on it."

After consultation with local authorities in Tenby, Blackpool and York, among others, licensing officers agreed on a tariff.