INTERNATIONAL property, construction and housing group Taylor Woodrow has signed a massive sale and leaseback deal with Lex Vehicle Leasing.

The contract to take control of 1,300 cars, with a further 200 added in the forthcoming months, represents one of the biggest single transaction deals Lex has been involved with outside its 10-year, £500million Ministry of Defence contract.

Although no further fleet-specific details are available, Taylor Woodrow, which recently announced record half year turnover of £977 million and profits of more than £100 million, claims the move came about as a means of improving efficiency and employee choice following its £632 million acquisition of Bryant in spring this year.