VEHICLE glass repair and replacement company Belron, which owns Autoglass in the UK and Carglass in Europe, has signed a franchise agreement with Poland's largest distributor and fitter of vehicle glass.

The deal with the Jaan Group is Belron's eighth franchise agreement and brings the total number of countries in which it operates, through its own or franchised businesses, to 24.

The company will brand the operation Autoglass Jaan and it will have an initial national presence of 25 branches and more than 80 fitters.

The company expects to expand its retail branch network in due course.

Belron chief executive officer Gary Lubner said: 'With more than 38 million inhabitants, Poland has a larger population than all other EU new entrants combined and has a vehicle parc of about 14 million cars and trucks. As such, it represents a fantastic opportunity for Belron and Jaan.'