A local haulage company based in Oswaldtwistle are celebrating their 45th year in business this year. 

Earl Transport Ltd is currently run by Peter Hughes and his daughter Rhian Hughes-Hodgkinson.

On Friday, October 13, Rhian was awarded the Northern Transport Woman of the Year.

Daughter and co-owner of Earl Transport Ltd, Rhian Hughes-Hodgkinson, said: "I have being working hard within the business whilst raising five young boys.

"I also like to encourage women and the younger generation into the industry, which I am very passionate about.

 "The anniversary is an amazing achievement especially with the current constraints on the industry.

"After the school holidays I will be taking a truck to my children’s local primary school to talk about trucks, drivers and the emissions."

Earl Transport Ltd are part of the Road Haulage Trade Association, and Rhian is actively working with them to help reduce their vehicle emissions by 2040.

She was also asked to talk about the haulage and logistics industry on the road to becoming Net Zero emissions at the Conservative and Labour Party conferences earlier this month.

Rhian was on a panel of five at both party conferences, and was asked as part of this to discuss the part of a medium sized haulier and the constraints on the industry to become Net Zero. 

She continued: "I still cannot believe I won the award. I have worked for the family business for 18 years alongside my father and we as a company do a lot for the local community.

"We have just recently sponsored a board at Accrington Stanley & Oswaldtwistle Emmanuel cricket club and we have also gave a hefty donation to Oswaldtwistle cricket club to help get cricket coaching into local schools. 

"We have agreed to get their covers that were vandalised fixed, free of charge, with one of our suppliers.

"I met various MPs and it was great to get my voice out there, not just by being a woman in the industry as there are not many of us, but to also be the voice of the haulier."

Rhian will also attend a Parliamentary reception on Tuesday, October 31, to celebrate National Lorry week this week, which runs from October 23 to 29.