THE air in Preston could soon be cleaner following the decision to run all council-owned vehicles on a new type of fuel.

Preston Mayor Rose Kinsella launched the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel at an exhibition of vehicles on Preston's flag market yesterday (Wednesday).

After a six month trial, Preston Borough Council, in conjunction with Preston Bus, is now running all their diesel-powered vehicles on the new cleaner, lower emission diesel.

Preston Bus vehicles will use the new fuel on all services throughout the town, while Preston Borough Council's 160 diesel powered vehicles - which include HGVs, dustbin carts, cans and precinct sweepers - will use the modern fuel.

Coun Kinsella said: "This will bring environmental benefits to everyone in Preston.

"I would urge all fleet managers to move across to this fuel in a bid to reduce pollution from emissions in the borough."

Preston Bus managing director Peter Bell said: "Before we changed, the air in our depot was often full of thick smoke, as 120 buses were started up."

A council spokesman said: "Compared with ordinary diesel, ULSD has had 90 per cent of its sulphur content removed during the refining process.

"By using this fuel, the council and Preston Bus will be able to make a serious contribution to the improvement of urban air quality."

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