Small and medium-sized businesses are being offered 1,500 free car rental days by Avis to help reduce their costs when travelling abroad.

The deal is for customers joining, or already part of, the rental company¹s Business Solutions ­ a bespoke scheme for small businesses that has around 4,000-5,000 clients.

It has been set up under the Backing Britain campaign, launched by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), which also includes flight deals from British Airways.

UKTI will decide how the rental days are allocated in conjunction with Avis.

Priority is given to SMEs that need support to break into overseas markets.

They will be able to collect the free rental car from their destination airport.

A UKTI spokeswoman said: "Each company will get one free rental but we are working out with Avis whether that is one day or one week.

"Wherever Avis has cars in the market, the offer will be avaliable."

Anthony Ainsworth, director of sales at Avis, added: "At the heart of the economy is small and medium businesses and they are suffering more than anyone during these difficult times.

"Travel is an intrinsic element of business."