THRIFTY Car Rental is claiming first-year success for its website. The site, www.thrifty.co.uk, has received 4,000 bookings and generated revenue in excess of £250,000 through its Sterling Silver booking facility.

Andrew Burton, sales and marketing director, said: 'We are delighted with the results from our first year. We anticipate in excess of £1.5 million revenue in 2001 - almost 4% of Thrifty revenue for the year.' The site allows users to obtain quotes and make pre-paid outbound reservations to 1,200 destinations around the world.

Thrifty has also appointed Town and Country Assistance to provide accident management. And Gateshead businessman Bill Scarr has taken over the franchise in the town, the franchise for the Cambridge territory has been acquired by Stephen How, and Neil and Harvey Pearson have expanded their Coventry franchise from six to 50 vehicles.