TLS, the vehicle rental and contract hire company, has clinched two local authority contracts together worth more than £2.5million. The first is a £1million three-year contract hire deal with Newham Council to supply 101 vans ranging from 3.5-tonne tippers and dropside vans to Ford Courier vans and pick-ups, all for use by the building services department.

The second agreement, worth £1.5million, is with Northampton Borough Council and TLS will be suppling 100 vehicles as part of a two-year contract hire deal. About 25 will be Ford Escort vans but most are 3.5-tonne Transits.

Alan Wilsonham, Newham Council's transport manager, said: 'The council is a pilot 'Best Value' organisation and is dedicated to the ethos of best value, both as part of any contract with suppliers and to serving our customers.'