The new fleet also enables the council to operate a single fuel policy, monitor vehicle usage and maintenance more effectively, and cut operating costs.

Craig Simpson, corporate transport manager at Rotherham Council, said: 'Our carer teams had previously been using grey fleet and spot hire vehicles. We've now streamlined this fleet by providing our own vehicles. The Citroen C1s are returning around 65mpg and 109g/km CO2 compared to around 39mpg and 163g/km for the spot hire vehicles they have replaced.

'Regular inspections and daily use checks also mean our drivers are protected and we know that they are driving a good, safe, well maintained vehicle.'

TransLinc has a seven-year contract with Rotherham Council and has so far delivered 450 vehicles, ranging from compact hatchbacks to 18-tonne commercial vehicles.

It is providing the Citroens on a three-year contract hire with maintenance agreement and each car is expected to cover around 15,000 miles per year.

The diesel Citroens will also contribute to council targets for a 2% cut in CO2 emissions year on year.