HOUSING association The Home Group is set to increase its fleet over the next 12 months – and has signed a further three-year solus deal with Citroen worth more than £3 million at showroom prices.

The Newcastle-upon-Tyne company operates 270 vehicles, but expects that number to increase to about 300. Citroen won the order following a 'major comparative exercise' involving five manufacturers.

The new contract hire deal sees Citroen providing more than 150 new-look Relay, Dispatch and Berlingo vans and 120 Citroen cars, including Saxo, C3, Xsara, Xsara Picasso and C5 models.

Home Group's vans are used by its maintenance division, which is involved in the up-keep of more than 40,000 homes throughout the UK. Its vehicles are supplied by local dealer Springfield Citroen on a three-year with maintenance, Citroen Contract Motoring contract hire agreement.

Home Group's assistant director of corporate services Martyn Burn said: 'Citroen was able to offer us the best value package on the full range of cars and commercial vehicles we needed. Our maintenance department is very pleased with Citroen vans and our company car drivers like the manufacturer's car range.'