A Penryn-based heating contractor has beaten off major international competition to form a new 10-year partnership with social landlord Coastline Housing, worth an estimated £3 million.

The innovative new arrangement, called Coastline HeatCare, is believed to be the first of its kind in the South West and means Blue Flame (Cornwall) Ltd has now become the first point of contact for gas and solid fuel heating enquiries for more than 2,500 Coastline households.

As well as round-the-clock breakdown cover, Blue Flame will take care of the annual servicing and safety checks carried out to the gas and solid fuel heating in Coastline homes.

The move enables Coastline customers to talk directly to a heating specialist, 24-hours a day, via a new, freephone number; helping to ensure they can book a convenient appointment, or fix a technical problem, first time.

Coastline Services Engineer Derek Chapman said: "We're taking a whole new approach to the way that we organise heating services, to give our customers a better level of service and reduce waste, while maintaining high quality standards."

Paul Smith, a former British Gas engineer who co-founded Blue Flame with Mark Bolitho in 1989, is delighted with the innovative deal.

"Coastline are a very forward thinking Company", he said. "We are pleased to be involved, and proud to wear their logo. Between us we can create a market-leading partnership that others look up to and learn from."