AN order for new Ford Transits worth £5 million at showroom prices has been placed by TLS Vehicle Rental.

The order includes 100 short wheelbase vans, 75 long wheelbase high roof vans, 70 crew cab tippers and 25 single cab tippers - all due for delivery by the end of this year.

Carl d'Ammassa, asset director at TLS, said: 'The Transit has been one of the mainstays of our rental fleet for as long as anyone at TLS can remember and, having looked at the new model in depth, we are satisfied that it marks a definite advance over the previous generation and remains one of the best choices in the panel van sector.

'Many people who call to request a van for rental, especially from the retail sector, simply ask us for a Transit, which illustrates the special place that the vehicle holds in the UK commercial vehicle market.

'TLS has an ongoing commitment to keep the average age of its 20,000 rental fleet vehicles below 18 months, and this new deal represents part of that process.'