A TANKER company from the region has improved the quality of its fleet thanks to £750,000 of funding from Yorkshire Bank.

Imperial Tankers of Billingham offers specialised transportation for chemicals, fuel and edible oils and it delivers 700,000 tonnes of cargo every year.

To help the company stay one step ahead of the competition, Imperial tankers have bought 17 brand new tractor units from fellow North-east company, North-East Truck and Van with help from Yorkshire Bank's Tees Valley business centre.

The tractor unit is the engine and cabin part of the articulated vehicle and the new ones will offer valuable efficiency improvements to many of the company's customers.

It is hoped the improved efficiency will cut down the number of trips the company makes which in turn will reduce traffic congestion.

Imperial Tankers chief executive John Robinson said: "This latest investment in and modernisation of our fleet will enable our customers to benefit from state of the art vehicles as we stay at the forefront of customer service developments.

"The new vehicles will not only be able to carry heavier loads but are also environmentally friendlier with minimised exhaust emissions."

John Carling, business manager at Yorkshire Bank, worked with specialist assets finance colleague Ian Thompson to arrange the purchase.

Mr Carling said: "Imperial Tankers is a successful, locally owned and managed company that I am delighted to work with as it continues to evolve."