The new bright yellow Duck Tours amphibious bus was spotted on a test 'swim' in the River Lagan on Tuesday, before its official launch in the next few weeks, and seemed quite at home in the conditions.

The city is the first in Europe to take delivery of the new high-tech coaches, which are at home on both land and on the water.

The land and sea craft, which are capable of doing 70mph on the road and 10 knots on the water, will allow visitors to get up close to all the main attractions, from the City Hall to the Titanic's launching dock as well as a unique city view from the River Lagan.

Belfast follows only Sydney and Boston to become the latest port city to invest in the vehicles.

Duck Tours owner Robert Wilson said: "Amphibious tours offer excitement and a genuinely memorable experience but I am also focusing on the quality of the tour, the accuracy of the guided commentary and the safety and comfort of our passengers.

"We are going the extra mile by ordering a fleet of purpose-built coaches never before seen in Europe and which will be the safest and most exciting available."

The Maltese-made coaches will each accommodate 49 passengers in aircraft-style seats.