PRESTON Council's vans have gone "green" in a bid to cut costs and pollution.

Launched by the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Rose Kinsella, the council has put a fleet of gas-powered vans on the streets of Preston.

The environmentally-friendly vehicles are powered by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), a "cleaner" fuel which is kinder to the environment. The cost of converting the vehicles to LPG fuel is off-set by the lower fuel duty, making the conversion cost-effective as well.

The gas is already widely used in Holland, Belgium and Italy, but the council's fleet is one of the first of its kind in the North West.

Coun Kinsella said: "The council is pleased it has been able to take a lead in this area and I would encourage other fleet users to consider gas vehicles as a means of reducing pollution."

Helen Freeman, chief environmental health officer, said: "We are continually monitoring air pollution in the town centre and, on occasions, the results we see exceed the target levels.

"The introduction of the council's LPG vehicles is a welcome contribution to reducing air pollution in Preston."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.