EXPRESS delivery giant TNT has turned to flower power to make its vehicles more environmentally-friendly and reduce fuel bills.

The company's depot in Railway Street, Ramsbottom, is road testing a pioneering diesel fuel derived from rapeseed and other plant oils which, it is claimed, can reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel economy.

TNT Express Services will be carefully monitoring the results, and more than 100 vehicles at the depot are currently using Bio Diesel as part of a six-month pilot scheme.

Those using Bio Diesel include 7.5 tonne collection and delivery trucks, articulated lorries and company cars from the depot and neighbouring TNT sites in Ramsbottom.

The fuel is made up of 95 per cent conventional diesel and five per cent Bio Diesel -- a compound derived from vegetable and plant oils. Manufacturers claim that drivers will see an improvement of up to two per cent in fuel economy and a reduction in exhaust emissions.

Nigel Barton, director of operations, said: "As one of the UK's major users of diesel, we are continually striving to make our vehicles both more environmentally-friendly and reduce fuel costs.

"Our fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles uses some 10.5 million litres of diesel every week, so a two per cent improvement in fuel economy would make a significant impact on fuel consumption. We will be carefully monitoring the results of this study."

Steve Davis, national engineering manager for TNT, commented: "Ramsbottom is the ideal location for piloting this fuel. Not only is the depot close to oil refineries in the North West, but also Ramsbottom is one of the first TNT sites to be using a new fuel management system which will enable us to accurately measure the fuel economy of each vehicle."