A £5 million investment programme in alternatively-fuelled vehicles has been launched by the Department of Social Security to make it the largest green fleet in the Government. More than 200 vehicles in the fleet will be running on liquefied petroleum gas and petrol by the new millennium, when a review of their progress will be made.

The first eight dual-fuel Vauxhall Vectras have just been delivered and will be used as pool cars at offices throughout the country, with plans for 10 more to enter the fleet by the end of the year. The move takes to heart the Government's promise that it would lead by example in encouraging fleets to take on clean-fuelled vehicles.

It followed damning evidence that Government fleets were failing to heed the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' own call to the country to adopt greener motoring plans. Out of a total fleet of 14,301 vehicles, only seven gas-powered models could be found and one electric car. Potentially, the DSS green fleet could grow to between 500-600 vehicles out of a 3,500-strong fleet under the current proposals, according to departmental transport officer Gwilym Anthony.

He said: 'It is a way of supporting Government policy. It will make us the largest green fleet in Government. We have to lead by example and that is exactly what we are doing. As vehicles come up for replacement, we are swapping all petrol models for alternative fuel vehicles and they make up about 15% of the fleet.'