BCR Car & Van Rental has become the latest rental and leasing company to offer a flexible hire package. The Coventry-based company has launched Option 20, a medium-term rental plan which includes maintenance and mileage allowances and is aimed at small to medium-size businesses whose fleet requirements vary from day-to-day and cannot afford to run a fleet for peak periods.

Under Option 20 companies are not locked into specific time agreements for the length of hire and there is no capital investment requirement or prepaid deposit. Payment is made monthly.

BCR chief executive Terry King-Smith said: 'Option 20 is a step forward in vehicle rental. Only fuel and insurance are required. We also eliminate breakdown headaches because our vehicles have full recovery and roadside assistance. Convenient delivery and collection is another feature so accident damaged cars or vans can be replaced quickly.'

Other rental companies which also operate flexible long term rental packages include Northgate Motor Holdings, Smiths Self Drive and Masterdrive Vehicle Rentals.