FIRST National Vehicle Holdings' long-held expansion plans have started to be realised with the acquisition of the 1,300 lease vehicle fleet of Brooklyn Vehicle Contracts. The Abbey National subsidiary, which operates about 50,000 units, has made no secret of its desire to be one of the top two or three contract hire companies in the UK which would mean it virtually doubling in size.

While its acquisition of the subsidiary of Redditch-based Brooklyn Motor Group may be small in terms of the overall market, Bury-based FNVC said the purchase for an undisclosed sum complemented its current portfolio of public sector and medium to small corporate customers.

FNVC chief executive James Sturt-Scobie said: 'This acquisition is part of our strategy to grow the business both organically and by acquisition. We will continue to look at such opportunities where they will enhance our services and strengthen our business.'

Brooklyn said it wanted to sell the leasing subsidiary to concentrate on its core motor retailing business and develop opportunities from manufacturers such as Ford, Skoda, Citroen and Mercedes-Benz in the UK.