EXPRESS deliverers TNT, who are based in Hounslow, produced a shining performance this week to beat the competition when Europe's best-known parcel companies were put to the test.

In an independent challenge TNT and a number of other couriers including FedEx, DHL and UPS, were asked to transport a pair of 100W light bulbs from Holland to England within 48 hours, to try and gauge who would offer the quickest service.

None of the companies involved knew they were being monitored, and ultimately assessed, for the speed and reliability of the delivery, along with the overall standards of service being provided.

TNT was the only company from the half dozen participants who managed to deliver the light bulbs in less than 24 hours. Not only that, the package was in mint condition and the nearest competitor to the TNT time of 20 hours and five minutes was a good four hours behind.

Depot General Manager Robert Kay at TNT's London Heathrow Depot, which handles international collections and deliveries, said he was delighted that TNT came first: "We pride ourselves on being the fastest and most reliable business-to-business express delivery service and this endorses that fact."

Judges of the test, run by Commercial Motor magazine concluded: "TNT's solo effort to get the parcel delivered, fully intact, in 20 hours was extremely impressive." The judges gave TNT a 100 per cent top mark for speed and service.

Stuart Stobie, Divisional Managing Director, said: "It was pleasing, but certainly no surprise that we should emerge on top. We didn't know anything about the test until well after the event, but it wouldn't have made any difference to our performance we aim to be the fastest at all times."

Further evidence of the company's commitment came with the announcement that TNT is adding five Boeing 737-300 aircraft to its European Air Network.

The new aircraft will be phased in over the next four years two will join the fleet in 2004, with further aircraft added in 2005,2006 and 2007. TNT also has options to lease a further five B737s to accommodate planned expansion of the company's European air network to an expected 67 air gateways by 2005.