AN OXFORDSHIRE company has been chosen for a £10m programme to replace windows and doors at hundreds of schools across the county.

3D Aluminium Plas, of Eynsham, has won a five-year contract, which has an option to be extended for a further two years.

Managing director Gary MacCartan said: "We had been doing some work before, but now we have won the whole contract. We are really pleased."

It covers primary and secondary schools across Oxfordshire, as well as libraries and other county council buildings.

About 60 replacement window projects will be completed in the first year from the council's stock of about 600 buildings.

The aluminium systems made by Technal will replace timber windows which have deteriorated, and will be more energy efficient and lower maintenance.

Tim Alley, service manager at Mouchel Parkman, building consultants to Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Technal's systems have been used by the county council for many years and have performed well.

"This was a factor in our decision to use their products for this major replacement programme as it gave us consistency of appearance where buildings on larger sites have already been refurbished."

"The systems are good quality and, as a material, aluminium allows the council and the building users to benefit from longevity and an attractive, low-maintenance finish."

Technal and 3D Aluminium Plas were chosen following a detailed tender process which looked at experience and track record, product and installation quality, efficiency and best value.

3D Aluminium Plas was set up 33 years ago and now employs 35 people at Oakfields Industrial Estate. Technal is part of Norwegian group Hydro Building Systems