Managing director Lorraine Farnon said: "We know that for a number of Paralympics teams it is a real challenge to access the transportation required to get to training facilities.

"While individual Paralympians probably have their own vehicles, when it comes to getting teams together the cost of purchasing vehicles that provide the right level of accessibility is likely to be prohibitive.

"For these athletes and teams we are offering the option of rental of a range of adapted and wheelchair-accessible vehicles."

AVH, the largest supplier of adapted cars and wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the UK, says not only will Team GB athletes benefit from the AVH service but that Paralympics teams from other countries will also be able to make use of the resource when they start visiting the UK ahead of the 2012 Games.

The company's range of adapted cars, MPVs and 4x4s mean disabled athletes, whether driving themselves or being taken by coaches, family or friends, can get to training at their convenience, they claim.

Meanwhile, for athletes competing in team sports, AVH offers minibuses with wheelchair access.

"We are committed to assisting all those planning to participate in the 2012 Paralympics," added Farnon.

"We firmly believe athletes should be able to make full use of the most convenient forms of transport for their own needs - and in many cases this would mean using cars or wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

"Being able to rent these vehicles on a 'need' basis is, we believe, therefore likely to be the most cost-effective solution as well as taking away the hassle of maintenance and servicing that comes with vehicle ownership.

"We understand that for the disabled community, public transport has its failings and for the athletes training for the 2012 Paralympics it is unlikely to provide the flexibility they need to get to and from training.

"Short-term vehicle rental provides a much more flexible solution – and we aim to provide all those planning to participate in the 2012 Paralympics with a service that means they can just focus on training and competing."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]