TOYOTA'S ties with North Wales has helped put the first Corolla on the local police fleet for a 12-month appraisal.

Toyota has built engines in Deeside, Flintshire, for more than 10 years and the Corolla police car will carry out its duties as a community beat vehicle.

Chief Insp Bob Wilson said: 'We're constantly reviewing the feet, and as part of our commitment to strengthen the community policing team in the area, we thought we should try a vehicle to which our community would relate.'

The North Wales Police fleet is made up of 250 vehicles and at present mainly consists of Fords. The Corolla 2.0 D-4D hatchback was provided through Toyota Fleet and has been finished in police livery. It will be expected to cover 40,000 miles during its appraisal period.