ONLINE buying has been taken to the next step by a Trowbridge-based purchasing and distribution firm.

The Consortium has placed a 1,100 page catalogue of 30,000 items on the internet with a free buying system for local authorities, public companies, charities and other organisations.

Cllr Peter Chalke, leader of Wiltshire County Council, said: "Authorities are looking eagerly at ways of meeting targets for e-government. E-procurement offers large cost saving which can fund investment elsewhere.

"Initiatives like this can help members of the County Councils Network in their drive to improve local services, while keeping council taxes."