NPOWER'S meter readers will now be travelling in Citroen Saxos after the utility company took delivery of 175 Citroen Saxo Desires worth more than £1.3 million at showroom prices.

The 1.1i three-door hatchbacks will be used at Npower's northern offices and will replace the group's predominantly Ford Fiesta fleet.

Phil Clark, contract manager at Lex Transfleet which will provide the vehicles on a three-year contract hire agreement, said: 'Citroen Saxo Desires were chosen for this contract on a basis of low wholelife costs and excellent levels of standard equipment, which includes remote central locking. Meter readers are locking and unlocking their cars dozens of times a day so this provides a useful security and time saving benefit.'

The vehicles will cover up to 15,000 miles a year, with Lex providing maintenance and accident management.