Putting on the style

Council bosses have lined up an ultra-stylish Jaguar XJ8 as a replacement for the Ford Scorpio which has carried successive mayors to appointments all over the country for the past seven years.

And the good news for the tax payer is that the car's £24,660 three-year lease is 30 per cent cheaper than the cost of the previous vehicle.

The sleek, long-wheel grey car is one of Jaguar's best sellers and comes with five-speed automatic transition, 290 horsepower and automatic stability control. It also features a CD player capable of holding six discs, a rain-sensing wiper and leather seats with walnut trim.

One motoring correspondent's review of the car reported that Jaguar would never again build a car "sacrificing practicality so completely for style."

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, is looking forward to trying travelling in his new vehicle from next week. He said: "Everybody gets excited about a new car.

"The features of the car meet the criteria required by the office of the mayor. It is a proven model, prestigious and largely made in Britain."

The new model will carry the famous WH I registration plate presented to the town of Bolton by Lord Leverhulme, William Hesketh Lever, in the1920s. The letters represent the initials of the leading industrialist who was the only mayor of Bolton not to have been a sitting councillor.

The Ford Scorpio is being put into retirement following a number of technical problems.

Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of the council, said the new lease, which covers everything except petrol, would save £3,500 a year.

"We feel we have secured a very competitive deal for a prestige car of this type and make," he said.

"The leasing market is much more competitive now than when we leased the Ford and we are making a substantial saving

"The Ford has served us well, but it is seven years old and it had let us down on a number of occasions.

"It was time for a change and this was an opportunity too good to miss."