MG Rover is leading the way in reducing damaging vehicle emissions.

The Longbridge, Birmingham, company's subsidiary, Powertrain Ltd - which supplies of engines and gearboxes to MG Rover - has announced a pilot programme to encourage Birmingham's cabbies to clean up their act.

In co-operation with Birmingham City Council, and as part of the "Don't Choke Britain" events, the firm has handed over the keys of the first officially licensed cab in Birmingham to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The award-wining K Series engine with LPG conversion is 50 per cent quieter than current taxi diesel engines and reduces CO2 emissions by 29 per cent.

LPG taxis provide benefits to pedestrians, taxi passengers and taxi operators and the environment in general.

"We are delighted to support this important initiative by Birmingham City Council," said Gordon Poynter, commercial director of Powertrain Ltd.

"We look forward to the prospect of many more taxi conversions with the K Series engine in LPG form in the coming months."

"In due course we hope to see the initiative spread to London and other cities where the famous British black cab is well established."