Earlier this year, the Scottish authority agreed to spend extra on its ageing fleet in a bid to tackle service disruptions as vehicles underwent repairs.

Some of the new vehicles are replacements, while others will expand the fleet to support operational changes.

Fife-based Farid Hillend Engineering was awarded the contract to supply 13 of the new RCVs.

The council’s finance spokesperson, Altany Craik, said: ‘Using our spending power locally, in accordance with our procurement obligations, means we’re not only better supporting the local economy but investing in it.’

The firm’s sales director, Paul Brown, said: ‘We are actively involved in Scotland's Young Person's Guarantee initiative, and in an apprenticeship programme to provide training and job opportunities to local school and college leavers.

‘Equally, it's good to be able to offer careers to more experienced, skilled operators from within the local community.

‘This is a really positive partnership for Fife.’

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