HOLLYWOOD movie stars Sylvester Stallone, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise have become among the first Americans to take advantage of a blockbuster contract signed between a York mobile phone hire firm and Avis Rent-A-Car.

Hirefone, the international phone rental business based at York Business Park, Nether Poppleton, has struck a deal worth more than £1 million - its biggest ever - with the car rental company.

Under it, Americans visiting Europe who have pre-booked with Avis, get a mobile hire phone rent-free for a week

Although mobile phone ownership is at record levels, the corporate rental business is based on the fact that not all US mobile phones work in every country.

Hirefone's rental service ensures that Avis travellers who need to stay in touch will now have the right phone for their destination before they board their plane.

Renters must reserve the phones through the Avis reservation centre before travelling and Hirefone will ship the phone directly to them in the United States overnight.

When abroad, renters can have calls diverted directly from their permanent number so they are never out of communication.

Once clients are back at home, the rental phone is returned to Hirefone via its prepaid collection service.

The contract came into operation this month since when, says the company, the Hollywood stars have been quick to take advantage of it.

The arrangement represents a huge step forward for Hirefone which has offices in New York, London and Dusseldorf.

The company was started by David Agar, managing director and Penny Roberts, international sales director, 11 years ago with only one desk and a handful of mobile phones.

Today it turns over more than £2 million a year, supplying phones to clients across the globe and often at short notice. In London, they can be booked and delivered within one hour.

Mr Agar said: "The Avis contract is expected to generate more than £1 million in extra sales revenue and will provide a springboard for significant growth for the Hirefone group."

Penny Roberts said: "Avis is one of the best known brand names in the world and a business that prides itself on the highest standards of customer service.

"That they have chosen Hirefone as their exclusive international partner underlines the reputation for quality and service that we have worked so hard to earn."

Updated: 10:02 Wednesday, February 25, 2004