ALEX Wright, commercial vehicle sales director at Manheim Auctions, reports early signs of another buoyant year in the van auction market.

He said: 'Despite only being one week into 2004, confidence in the market is high and we are looking forward to another fast paced year in the commercial vehicle auction halls. The real pace of the market always takes a couple of weeks to come to fruition but the first sales at Manheim Auctions have proved to be a success with enthusiastic bidding for the quality selection of vehicles on offer.'