KIND-hearted bosses from a Shuttleworth plant hire company are marking a millennium milestone.

For they have made a major donation to an NSPCC appeal run by plant manufacturer JCB.

Garic Plant Hire, of Whalley Road, makes fuel and water bowsers for use on construction sites and has just manufactured its 2,000th piece of kit.

Now, the company has donated one year's hire proceeds from the 2,000 gallon capacity bowse, a magnificent £2,000, to JCB's £1 million NSPCC appeal.

The family-owned company was founded 18 years ago by Eric Entwistle and his two sons, Lorne and Gary. In those days, they made their money by hiring out a JCB digger but more recently the company has diversified into the manufacture of water and fuel bowsers.

Lorne said: "Both Gary and I have got children and can therefore appreciate the sterling work the NSPCC does for children who are much less fortunate than our own.

"This year has been our best yet with record profits exceeding £1 million. We were aware of JCB's magnificent £1 million appeal in aid of the NSPCC.

"And as it is the year 2000 and we have just manufactured a milestone 2,000th bowser, we decided that we would donate £2,000 to the JCB fund."

A cheque for that amount was handed over to chairman of the JCB/NSPCC appeal, Malcolm Fox, at a special presentation at the company's headquarters.

Malcolm said: "This is a marvellous gesture by Garic Plant Hire and we are delighted they have made such a generous donation to our appeal.