The deliveries will boost the British Gas fleet to well over 1,000 Ford Transits and will be used to help British Gas improve its attendance rates at homes and businesses suffering heating problems during adverse weather conditions

Colin Marriott, general manager of the British Gas fleet, said: 'We have been using Ford Transits for several years now and they are proving very reliable. Ford offer well-engineered vans combined with great after-sales service making them the best option for our expanding fleet. The Ford Transit is also very economical, offering the lowest cost of ownership in its class over a five-year, 60,000-mile life cycle.'

Kevin Griffin, director of fleet operations, Ford of Britain, said: 'It's reassuring to know that British Gas, which provides such a lifeline to its customers – particularly during extremely bad weather, is putting its faith in Britain's most popular van, the Ford Transit. It is a testament to the popularity and reliability of the Ford Transit that British Gas now have over 1,000 on their fleet.'