THE UK's largest practical conservation organisation has signed a deal to use the vehicle repair services of bodyshop network ABS. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers will use ABS for all accident and repair needs on its 350-vehicle fleet.

Its fleet is managed from Doncaster and distributed across the country. It includes a broad range of vehicle types and has 210 minibuses, 70 cars and 70 vans. Key suppliers include Ford and Vauxhall with the vehicles purchased outright. The fleet's main purpose is to transport volunteers to sites where conservation projects are being developed. Phil Gomersall, fleet services co-ordinator, said: 'The fundamental problem facing the fleet when it comes to accident repair is the need for very strong geographical coverage. A lot of accidents occur not only in areas where bodyshops are thin on the ground but happen off the beaten track.'

ABS has also installed a new central work referral system at its headquarters in Northwich, Cheshire. The new IT system will allow ABS to manage work allocation and repair jobs carried out at its member bodyshops across the country, replacing low-tech devices like phone and fax. ABS has re-engineered all of its work referral processes so the new system receives notification of work electronically and sends the job to the nearest bodyshop.