FLEET News is not the only industry stalwart celebrating a major anniversary this year.

Also enjoying its silver anniversary in 2003 is Motability, Europe's biggest fleet and a national UK charity, which helps disabled people and their families to become mobile.

It was set up on the initiative of the Government to provide cars and powered wheelchairs to disabled people and the first car was supplied in 1978. Since then more than 1.5 million cars and wheelchairs have been provided and its fleet now numbers more than 400,000 vehicles.

Manufacturers are also celebrating milestones, with Ford and Vauxhall enjoying their centenaries this year. LDV Vans marks its 10th anniversary as an independent commercial vehicle manufacturer.

In another major milestone – this time for fleet safety – the mandatory wearing of a seatbelt marks its 20th birthday in 2003, and even the humble numberplate has achieved a major goal. It is 100 years old, and to mark the occasion, the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is trying to track down the first ever registered London number plate: A1.

With an estimated value of £500,000, the A1 was first registered in 1903 but has mysteriously disappeared. Alistair Manson, director at the RMI said: 'Its last known owner was Dunlop Holdings. Since the company was taken over by BTR, the registration seems to have fallen between the cracks, and disappeared.'