The people who play a vital part in making sure our parks are mown, our refuse is collected and our streets are cleaned are the tops and that's official.

The Fleet Management and Transport Services arm of the department at Barnfield Road depot has just been awarded the internal service team of year transport services and vehicle maintenance, by the Association of Public Service Excellence.

Officially the most environmentally-friendly, cost-effective and well-run organisation of its type in the UK, Swindon's team beat 160 other submissions to triumph at this year's awards.

Geoff Lewis, assistant chief officer of Swindon Services, said: "It's a prestigious award. To be named number one in fleet management in the UK is a real achievement and we were shocked when we heard we'd won, but frankly we had a good submission and it's a great team here."

The Fleet Management and Transport team provides vehicle maintenance services to all areas of the council and boasts 300 vehicles and 100 items of special equipment, from road sweepers to ride-on mowers.

The service is managed by six staff and also has an impressive workshop with 12 staff employed to maintain the fleet.

Coun Maureen Dilley (Lab, Covingham & Nythe) is lead member of Swindon Services.

She said: "I have only been working with the team for a short time but it was brilliant to come in and be part of the celebrations for such a prestigious award.

"It's a small team here but they are great at what they do and the award shows that a service can be turned around completely in a comparatively short time."

John Short, director of Swindon Services, said: "Our fleet management section, which is part of the street services division, plays an integral part in delivering all council services. Its innovative working practices and procurement initiatives are now widely used as best practice within the industry, and have also won compliments from major private sector fleet management organisations."