Police and fire services have been urged to follow the Government's example and buy Birmingham-built Jaguars.

Earlier this week it was revealed every Cabinet Minister is to be offered a Birmingham-built Jaguar limousine.

A review of the Ministerial fleet has concluded Ministers should receive a choice between a £50,000 XJ saloon, built in Castle Bromwich, or a Toyota Prius, made in Japan.

It followed a campaign by Jaguar and MPs including Sion Simon (Lab Erdington) and John Spellar (Lab Warley), who were concerned civil servants conducting the review might choose the Japanese vehicle. Now the MPs are calling for public services to follow suit and support British industry.

Mr Spellar said: "It is great news for the West Midlands that the Government is going to be buying British. I hope local police and fire authorities follow the Government's example and support West Midlands firms by buying a quality product.

"You would never see French or German officials driving anything that wasn't built in France or Germany."

There was concern the XJ Saloon would be rejected by the Government Car Service, w hich is part of the Department for Transport, for environmental reasons.

The Prius uses a gas-electric hybrid engine, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly vehicles available.

And last year it emerged that eight of Mr Blair's team had switched to the trendy Toyota car.

But it was revealed over the weekend that Ministers would be given a choice, and it is thought likely most will choose Jaguar. The decision was criticised by Conservatives, who accused Ministers of "pampering" themselves.

The XJ saloon has been built at the Castle Bromwich site since the closure of the Jaguar facility in Brown's Lane, Coventry.