ACCRINGTON-BASED coach company Fraser Eagle is celebrating clocking up 500,000 miles transporting passengers for specialist tour operator --Graham Baxter Sporting Tours.

For more than five years, Fraser Eagle has been Sporting Tours' preferred supplier of executive coaches.

Tours include an annual trip to the Tour de France with as many as 25 Fraser Eagle coaches making the annual pilgrimage to the world's most famous cycling event.

Sporting Tours' managing director Graham Baxter believes that there are several reasons for the success of the relationship.

"Fraser Eagle's executive fleet ensures that we can give our customers the level of service and luxury that they expect," he said.

"We only use coaches equipped with reclining seats, on-board toilet, video and drinks dispenser. On tours which allow bikes to be taken, we will now be using single-decker coaches, equipped with a trailer for bike storage.

"More importantly, the same Fraser Eagle drivers look after Sporting Tours year after year."

Fraser Eagle Coaches has recently moved to purpose-built premises at the Shuttleworth Mead Business Park and is planning to spend a further £2 million on its fleet. Group managing director Ken Savage is delighted with the company reaching the 500,000-mile target with Sporting Tours.

"It's always a great achievement to reach a significant milestone, he said.

"But, to be honest, the most fulfilling part of any customer relationship comes when they retain our services year after year."