SOUTHAMPTON residents will be able to hire e-scooters to move around the city from this month, it has been confirmed.

An e-scooter trial in Southampton is set to begin on March 18.

Details such as pricing and the locations of the docking stations are yet to be revealed.

But transport bosses said they are looking to create slow riding, no riding and mandatory parking areas across the city.

When travelling outside those operational zones the e-scooter will slow and stop.

Residents who want to ride an e-scooter will need to be over 18 and hold a provisional or full driving licence.

They will be able to ride e-scooters on the same road spaces as bikes, including cycle lanes.

But privately-owned, unregulated e-scooters will not be included in the trial and remain illegal, except on private land.

It comes as plans for the trial in Southampton were approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) last year.

The trial is expected to last until November and will be led by Solent Transport, Southampton City Council and operator Voi Technology.

Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for green city and place in Southampton, said the trial will help to keep the city moving and will help support the council's plans to tackle climate change.

Cllr Dan Fitzhenry, leader of the opposition, said the trial is "great news" for the city . Richard Corbett, regional general Manager of UK, Ireland and Benelux for Voi, added: “E-scooters are a safe, flexible and affordable way for people to commute or move around. These green active modes of transport can easily be integrated with public transport, replacing short car journeys, ultimately creating better places to work and live.”

The trial is also set to be launched in Portsmouth while as previously reported, it will no longer go ahead in Winchester.