Picture Ref: 73357-30SWINDON'S Mayor will be driving around town in style when he gets a brand new BMW today.

Managing director of BMW's Swindon plant Bob Bolam will officially hand over the silver 7-series to Coun Peter Stoddart outside the Civic Offices.

But he has already had a sneaky peek inside the car and was thrilled with the choice.

He said: "We're really excited. It's a super-duper car.

"It looks more like the inside of an aircraft than a car."

The council has a good relationship with BMW and so they were an ideal choice when the Mayor's current lease ran out with Honda.

He said: "A number of people at the council worked at the plant when it was Rover so we have a long relationship with them."

But council taxpayers do not need to worry about the cost.

Mr Stoddart said: "We have done a good deal with BMW so it's of no more expense to the ratepayer than the last car." It costs £250 a month, the same figure it has been for the past four years.

BMW spokesman Natalie Wakefield said: "We're delighted the Mayor has chosen our 7-series and we're really pleased that we're getting involved in the community."