TINY truckers hit the road this week as Blackpool Pleasure Beach unveiled another new family ride for summer 2002.

And ride sponsor Edward Stobart made a truck stop at the fun park himself on Wednesday to officially open Convoy -- five miniature heavy goods vehicles which travel on a 200 metre track -- on the old vintage car circuit between the Pepsi Max Big One and the Revolution.

The £250,000 ride is the latest concept from Italian ride manufacturer Zamperla and each little lorry is branded in the distinctive yellow and green Eddie Stobart colours. The fabulous five also each have a girl's name just like their supersized sisters of the road.

And Hannah, Measha, Shelley, Sandie and a very fittingly-named Queenie took to the track for the first time filled with Blackpool Mayor Ivan Taylor, members of the Thompson family and trucking tycoon Edward.

Edward, son of the original Eddie Stobart, said of the sponsorship deal: "Blackpool Pleasure Beach has a great tradition for entertaining generations of holidaymakers and as sponsors of the new Convoy we are delighted to join the fun and to contribute to the enjoyment of visitors."

Park managing director Geoffrey Thompson said: "We open big rides and small rides here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and although Convoy is a small ride it is the longest convoy at any kiddies' park in the world.

"Convoy is a fun ride for the whole family and the Eddie Stobart branding enhances the ride experience. We hope this is the beginning of a long and happy association between our two companies."

Park bosses still remain tight-lipped about another new ride, code-named Ultimate, which is to be unveiled later in the summer. Mr Thompson would only say "it is a wildly exciting ride and all I can say is that the Mayor will not be going on it!"

Mr Taylor added: "He's quite right, but Convoy is something I think I can handle and it's due to the enterprise of Mr Thompson and his family that millions of people come to Blackpool every year."