FLEETS looking to convert their vans to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are being warned about the dangers of 'cowboy converters' after an investigation revealed that 19 out of 20 vehicles converted had problems.

Van fleet operators are being urged to either buy vehicles converted by manufacturers or go to a company which is a member of the LP Gas Association for aftermarket conversion.

The investigation was carried out by Birmingham Trading Standards, which found a variety of faults, some of which could potentially have led to an explosion.

At present, about 72,000 vehicles run on LPG in the UK, but only 35-40% of these have been converted by LPGA members.

Paul Oxford, sales development manager at LPG provider Calor Autogas, said: 'LPG has an enviable safety record. If fleets are going down the LPG route, they will have no problems if they used an LPGA installer.'