LEX Service is opening a network of 50 purpose-built vehicle accident body repair centres in the UK costing £1 million each. Operating under the name Lex Bodycentres, the first one opened on Thursday in Glasgow and the network is expected to be completed by the year 2000.

The network is likely to employ more than 3,000 people when fully operational and the company hopes to secure a 'significant slice' of the £4 billion UK bodyshop industry by the end of the century. A typical location for a Lex Bodycentre will be a 1.5 acre stand alone site which has 25,000 square feet of floor space and is away from residential areas, but is close to a network of main roads.

The bodycentres will cater for cars and vans up to 3.5 tonnes and the company's aim is to provide a quick, value for money repair, but there is also a big commitment to providing customers with good quality workmanship.

Shortly four bodyshops which Lex already owns in Enfield, Willenhall, Norwich and Yeovil will be refurbished and early next year outlets will be opened in Cheltenham and Portsmouth. Lex Bodycentres is understood to be close to announcing major contracts with two of the UK's largest car insurers.