THE traditionally male-dominated world of long distance truck driving holds no fears for Nicola Farnsworth after she passed her HGV driving test with flying colours first time at just 21.

Nicola, of Mitchell Street, Clitheroe, has made a habit of taking control at the wheel as soon as possible. She passed her car driving test just a few months after her 17th birthday and now she has got her HGV licence shortly after passing the 21 year age limit on truck drivers.

But the former Clitheroe Grammar School students has no plans to hit the road professionally just yet.

"I'm helping my mum and dad in their butcher's shop in Whalley. Perhaps later I'll take it up properly." Nicola turned to a friend, Chris Halstead, who works for Tony Brayshaw haulage contractors in Burnley, and through the firm arranged to have lessons with fire brigade driving instructor Chris Boyle, who works at the brigade's driver training school in Chorley.

She spent the equivalent of two-and-a-half days behind the wheel of a giant Scania "artic" before braving the Kirkham HGV test centre.

"I made a mess of my reversing on the test and I thought I'd blown it so I just relaxed for the rest of the time," said Nicola. "At the end the tester told me I'd passed. It was great."

Nicola is prepared to take on any sexist drivers who feel she shouldn't be behind the wheel of a truck. "I've only ever seen one other lass driving a truck on the motorway but I think there are more and more women driving now," she said. "No-one's ever said anything to me and I've got as much right to be there as anyone else."

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