ALAN Noble, executive deputy chairman of Darlington-based Northgate, which runs the UK's largest rental light commercial vehicle fleet with 31,000 units has received the North East Businessman of the Year Award from Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The award is in recognition of the expansion of the company in the past 12 months. This week the company announced the opening of its 39th UK branch - in Bolton - through its TrukVan Rental business.