THE haulage industry is trying to shake off its tough image in an attempt to recruit more women.

The male-dominated freight transport sector has been struggling to find enough qualified drivers in recent months.

The Freight Transport Association said that 83 per cent of companies were having problems recruiting drivers of either sex.

But the macho image of the male driver, typified by the Yorkie chocolate advertisements, has done little to attract women to the profession.

One woman who bucked the trend was 36-year-old Kim Richardson.

The former beauty therapist decided a career as a driver, like her husband, held more appeal.

She has just completed her HGV training and has got behind the wheel of a Volvo FL12 tipper, driving for Thompsons of Prudhoe, Northumberland.

She said: "When I passed my HGV test I was keen to get started and rang Thompsons to pester for a job.

"Denis Noble, their transport co-ordinator, invited me for a test drive, followed by a trial period to get used to the vehicles and routes, and then I started work."

Billy Forster, transport manager at Thompsons, said: "We are up to strength at the moment, but in recent months there has been a shortage of qualified and reliable drivers.

"Anyone looking for a job these days does not think of wagon-driving as a glamorous job and will tend to apply as a last resort.

"But wagons are reliable and very different now. They are comfortable, with CD players, air cooling systems and wonderful views."