A specialist vehicle repair firm has completed major work on a 1000-tonne crane - one of only four in the world.

Jalna Fleetspray, based at Dawsons Wharf in Middlesbrough, took only nine days to complete the task, the largest of its kind to be carried out by Jalna Fleetspray, taking up more than 650 man-hours.

Thirty employees worked shifts day and night to complete the vehicle in the shortest possible time.

The project involved using one of three site halls to give a headroom of more than 35 metres to enable the crane to be rigged within a building. The crane was delivered to Middlesbrough by the Ainscough transport division and consisted of the base crane and a further 12 loads of 60 tonne ancillary equipment connected with the crane.

Jalna specialises in all aspects of commercial vehicle refinishing including steam cleaning, blast-cleaning, body work, livery management, commercial coatings, fabrication and refurbishment of commercial vehicles and trailers.

Stuart Arnold, managing director at Jalna, said: "The past few years have seen a significant change in people's perception with regard to corporate images. I believe this image is paramount to the success of some of the larger hire companies and fleet operators."

Jalna's growth over the past few years has been assisted by help and advice from Neil Thompson, account manager at Business Link.