RENAULT'S impressive safety record has prompted bosses at a new lettings agency to choose the manufacturer to supply its 21-strong fleet of cars.

The newly-formed company, Ashton Burkinshaw, now has 14 1.2-litre Clio Expressions for property co-ordinators and negotiators. Branch managers have either a 1.6-litre Megane or 1.6-litre Clio Privilege.

Ashton Burkinshaw sales and fleet manager Stuart Cornwall said part of the reason the cars were chosen was their achievements in the EuroNCAP crash safety ratings. The Clio secured a four-star rating and the Megane five stars, the first time a lower-medium car has scored the maximum.

Elsewhere in the range, the Laguna and new Espace also scored five stars. The vehicles were supplied by Renault dealer Davis of Sevenoaks.