WILTSHIRE County Council is teaming up with its Kent and Cambridgeshire counterparts to put their highways contracts out to tender.

Ringway Parkman currently manages Wiltshire's highways on behalf of the county, but the contract is up for grabs in 2006.

On January 21 the three councils will hold a joint event at New Hall, Cambridge University, which they say will save money and provide a better service.

Each authority will end up with separate contracts and their total value will be worth more than £100m a year.

Following the morning presentations, individual afternoon sessions will give companies the chance to discuss issues with managers from the highways departments of the three county councils.

Peter Binley, highway network maintenance manager at the county council, said: "There is pressure on us all to use our limited resources wisely.

"This initiative will improve the administration controlling these resources to help deliver a better and more cost-effective service.

"This can only benefit all concerned."