A FAMILY haulage firm is gearing up to mark a major milestone as it approaches a golden anniversary.

Peter Whaley Haulage, based at Newton Le Willows, near Bedale, was started 50 years ago, and its vehicles have since covered hundreds of thousands of miles transporting roadstone and tarmac to help build roads all over the North of England.

It was started by Peter Whaley, who came from a farming family but wanted to do something different. He died ten years ago aged 62, but the firm has been carried on by his son Mark who has also been joined by the third generation, son Matthew, 22.

“I really love driving, and although it has changed a lot - there are so many more vehicles on the roads and there’s a lot more health and safety to consider - it is safer and we have much better, more comfortable vehicles,” said Mr Whaley.

The company now has a fleet of six HGVs including the first insulated non-tipping truck which pushes loads out instead of tipping them, so it can be used in difficult areas such as bridges and near power lines.