ONE of Europe's largest orders for alternatively-fuelled vehicles was unveiled by van specialist LDV at the British International Motor Show on Tuesday. The £2 million order from Swindon Borough Council for 68 dual-fuel Convoy vans was part of £10 million-worth of deals announced by the manufacturer at the show.

The council will replace petrol and diesel vans on its 330-vehicle outright purchase fleet by Christmas and predicts 80% of its fleet could go green. Tony Lewis, LDV's executive director sales and marketing, said: 'This is fantastic news for LDV and demonstrates further support for our alternative fuel strategy as it has led to one of the largest contract wins of its kind in the industry.'

LDV beat off 28 other tenders from throughout Europe to win the contract for its LPG range, which was launched in March. The firm also announced one of its biggest single orders at the show, for 231 2.6-tonne Pilot vans and 286 3.5-tonne Convoy Hi-Loaders worth £8 million for Business Express - a parcel delivery subsidiary of Littlewoods.

Allan Amey, LDV chief executive, used the orders as the springboard for announcing a planned split from part owner Daewoo. He said: 'We have been concerned where Daewoo is going for the past 12 months. Our forward strategy now does not include Daewoo. We are in talks with other manufacturers because it is very important that we now distribute our products widely throughout Europe.'