CRITICISM of council chiefs for not backing Britain in their choice of a new mayoral car has been dismissed as unjustified.

Burnley Town Hall bosses came under fire when they chose a Swedish Saab to replace the ageing Ford Granada Scorpio, which had been the civic limousine for the past eight years. And there was further criticism that the three-year lease deal had been hammered out with a non-Burnley dealer - Bay Horse Garage, Mellor.

But a report to Wednesday's general purposes committee says the town drove the best bargain it could.

Cash-strapped council chiefs wrote to every European car manufacturer, asking for a sponsorship arrangement or some other cut-price deal.

Only the local main Jaguar, Saab and Volvo dealers made contact to discuss the council's requirements, says the report. And of these only Bay Horse suggested any kind of concessionary deal.

The council's test drive team opted for the Saab after their first hire choice Vauxhall Omega Elite was found to be out of their price range.

Town hall officer John Wells, said: "Members will be aware that some criticism has been levelled at the council for not buying a British vehicle from a local supplier.

"Since it is almost impossible to define a 'British' vehicle and Bay Horse Saab is, in fact, the local Saab main agents, I do not feel that these criticisms are justified."

His report adds: "All things being equal, the council would prefer to buy, or in this case hire, from local suppliers, but unfortunately this is not always possible if the best value for money is to be obtained."

The report says the agreement provides for the council to change the car each year.

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