A COMPANY is offering clients the chance to save the environment, even while they are at the wheel.

MNH Vehicle Contracts Ltd, Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, is thought to be one of the first in the country to offer "carbon offset contracts".

Firms which sign up to the green contract will have the annual carbon emissions created by each vehicle worked out.

The cost to offset the emissions will then be passed on to Climate Care, an organisation which carries out projects like forest restoration.

Some car manufacturers already provide the service, but MNH is one of the first vehicle leasing firms to offer it. The company leases thousands of vehicles to customers across the UK.

Mark Hindle, managing director of MNH, said: "Businesses are paying very close attention to what they can do to save the planet. Consumers, it is predicted, will increasingly look to firms which are doing their bit for the environment.

"There is always going to be a need to travel in the UK for business and trading to keep going," said Mr Hindle. "Our green contract will provide companies with the chance to help the environment and demons-trate to customers that they are doing so for very little extra cost each month.

"I already do it, and I believe this will be a big hit "

MNH is one of the UK's top car leasing firms, and many of the cars it leases are Volkswagen Passats. The cars do about 20,000 miles per year, and to offset carbon emissions for this mileage can cost as little as £3.50 a month.

When that money is passed to Climate Care, it is used on a variety of projects including renewable energy, energy efficiency and replacing forests, which reduce the world's reliance on carbon-producing sources such as coal burning.

As trees absorb carbon dioxide, it is possible to determine how many extra trees it takes to offset carbon emissions produced by any one vehicle contract.

Clients who sign up receive a certificate and sticker for each car in the scheme.

David Wellington, manag-ing director of Climate Care, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with MNH and applaud their approach to offering offset options to their customers."