THE BBC has awarded a three-year contract to supply and manage its 1,500 vehicle fleet to ING Car Lease.

A key feature in ING Car Lease in winning the contract was its partnership approach to business, and the provision of a dedicated driver helpdesk, according to the BBC.

The service will include the provision of essential user, pool and light commercial vehicles.

ING Car Lease commercial director Greg Taylor said: 'With the renewal of the contract our team is looking forward to building on our existing relationship.'

ING Car Lease is a wholly- owned subsidiary of ING Group, which operates across nine European countries.

It manages in excess of 150,000 vehicles, employs 615 staff and had operating turnover in the financial year 2001 of more than e650 million. In the UK, ING Car Lease operates a fleet of 11,400 vehicles.