A TRANSPORT firm is expanding into new markets after signing a multi-million pound deal to supply coaches for thousands of school trips.

Fraser Eagle has landed a deal with Kingswood to provide transport for children visiting the firm's activity centres across the UK and France.

The three-year contract is expected to be worth at least several million pounds to Fraser Eagle which is based on the Shuttleworth Mead Business Park, Padiham.

Kevin Dean, group managing director of Fraser Eagle said: "We are delighted to have agreed this deal with Kingswood, which will see us operate thousands of coach journeys on an annual basis over the next three years.

"This is an important contract for Fraser Eagle as it sees us firmly establish our product into yet another new sector."

Fraser Eagle was formed in 1919 as a coach tour and holiday operator.

In recent years the firm has diversified and now also provides a nationwide network of vehicles for pre-planned and emergency situations, such as providing coaches for Virgin Trains following the Grayrigg train derailment in February.

Fraser Eagle, which employs 180 staff and has a turnover of £30million, this year also launched Allevents, which provides and manages business trips to Malta.

Kingswood, based in Norfolk, has 11 adventure centres in the UK including in the Peak and Lake Districts, Wales, and the Isle of Wight as well as a base in Criel Sur Mer, France.

Paul Gilbert, managing director of Kingswood, added: "Our business has grown significantly in recent years and we now provide for around 150,000 schoolchildren every year.

"This rapid growth meant we were looking for a company that could manage our entire transport requirement successfully."