Greater Manchester Police Force has taken delivery of its first privately sponsored patrol car - donated by an Atherton garage.

And cash-strapped GMP says it will be "actively encouraging" similar deals with other firms in the future.

S & W Autos, based on Chanters Industrial Estate, on Arley Way, presented the force with the free sponsored Ford Mondeo GLS patrol car to mark its 40th anniversary in business.

In return for the £25,000 three year long sponsorship deal the firm has its name emblazoned on the side of the car.

Mr Vernon Cressey, the director of administration and technical services for GMP stressed that sponsorship deals are stringently checked. He said: "Greater Manchester Police has a formal policy on sponsorship and each sponsorship deal has to be approved at the highest level.

"We are actively encouraging such deals at the moment

"However we would not enter a sponsorship deal with any firm which would in any way compromise the integrity of the force." S & W Group chairman, Mr Steven Walsh believes this could be the beginning of many such links.

Mr Walsh commented: "We have been in discussion with Greater Manchester Police for the past eight months and they have now taken possession of the car.

"I believe that joint ventures of this kind between police and private businesses are the way forward.

"We have always had close links with the police and we are looking at the possibility of sponsoring other vehicles."

The car already donated will be used on enforcement duties in Atherton, Wigan and Leigh. S & W Autos, an accident, repair and service centre, is part of the S & W Group which already has a contract with the police to recover vehicles involved in accidents in the Atherton area.

Insp Tom Graham of Wigan police traffic unit said: "We are very grateful for this support. The car will be put to good use policing heavy goods vehicles and buses."

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