THE SOUTHAMPTON-built Transit was today receiving its award for International Van of the Year 2001.

Launched last year, the new Transit is set to become Ford's only British-built vehicle with the blue oval, and Ford says the title is the culmination of a momentous year for Europe's most popular van.

The all new design was launched in the year that the Southampton-built vehicle celebrated its 35th anniversary.

Ford of Europe's commercial vehicles director, Paul Morel, said: "We are proud to have been awarded the Van of the Year title for Ford Transit, which is so important to our European product line up. And you can be assured that we have more Transit news for 2001."