CAR owners should choose Huddersfield- based Britannia Rescue for their breakdown service, says a watchdog.

Consumer testing magazine Which? surveyed the quality of rescue organisations, using criteria such as the time it took to reach broken-down vehicles and the call centre's politeness when handling calls from stranded drivers.

As a result, Britannia was named the 2006 `best buy'.

Which? said: "Its telephone staff were very good, answering calls promptly and politely, and were also the most accurate at predicting when their patrols would arrive."

Britannia was also named the quickest breakdown service in terms of responding to calls from members.

More than 92% of callouts were reached within an hour, as against 72% from another well-known breakdown organisation.

Marie Haigh, of Britannia, said: "We're delighted with this result, particularly as Which? surveys are seen as a real benchmark of quality by the public.

"Our own member satisfaction surveys have been telling us we're getting it right.

"But this survey has confirmed it."