The new four-year agreements will give local authorities throughout Britain fast access to a select list of pre-tendered eligible contractors for a range of repair and new build jobs.

The framework is divided into regional lots covering the South, Midlands, North, Scotland and Wales, with a total spend estimated to be anywhere between £90m and £800m.

It will replace a previous deal won by Apollo, Interserve, Kier, Leadbitter, Mansell, AllenBuild and Barr.

LHC said the framework is aimed at small and medium sized contractors with new build projects valued £1-£8m and refurbishment jobs £300,000 to £4m.

PQQs can be downloaded from LHC Buyer Profile www.lhc.gov.uk/207