FORMER Radcliffe soldier Samantha Hickson has been appointed sales representative for Hyva (UK) Ltd of Irlam.

Samantha (25), is a former Territorial Army Signals Regiment soldier who served in Bosnia at the British headquarters in Banja Luka.

Last year she joined Hyva, the Dutch-owned manufacturer of tipping and load handling equipment for the road transport industry.

Her promotion from the sales office makes her the first female member of the company's field sales team.

In conjunction with her regional sales manager, Samantha covers an area that stretches from the Midlands to the Scottish borders.

She is not daunted by the prospect of being a woman in a man's world.

"Active service with the TA prepares you for most things," she said.

"I have a heavy goods vehicle licence, so I know my way round a truck and, from my experience in the Hyva sales office, I have found most people in transport to be very friendly and helpful."

The move into "civvy street" doesn't mean that Samantha plans to be any less active.

She is a keen sportswoman who keeps on the move, training for half marathons, swimming and doing aerobics.

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