A NEW contract hire company has been launched as part of a joint venture between two key players in the leasing industry.

Vardy Contract Motoring, part of dealership firm Reg Vardy, has joined forces with vehicle management firm AVMS to launch Public Sector Leasing.

The firm will be headed by joint managing directors Craig Moran, who is also head of AVMS, and Peter Adams.

Moran said: 'This is an opportunity to use technology to offer unsurpassed levels of service to all areas at both local and national Government level.'

The firm, based near Leeds, will provide much of its service over the internet and plans to reach up to 8,000 units by the end of the year.

VCM will deal with funding and maintenance underwriting while AVMS will provide contract management.