A RUNCORN logistics company which specialises in urgent deliveries says it is rapidly recovering from the recession.

Freight First has expanded its HGV fleet from 19 to 30 and is now recruiting 10 new drivers and three office support staff.

Managing director Simon Meredith, who started the firm on his own 14 years ago, is confident their turnover is set to treble to £10 million in the next four years.

He said: "This is really good news for ourselves, our staff and the economy.

"We are heading towards employing 80 plus staff in four years' time."

The company moved to purpose built premises in Aston Lane, Preston Brook in July, 2013.

Dad-of-two Mr Meredith said: "We like Runcorn because the motorway network is fantastic. One way is Liverpool, the other Manchester and you can easily get north or south. We wouldn't choose to be anywhere else.

"We handle urgent, last minute, time-sensitive items, anything from one pallet to a full artic."

He said his business "really struggled to survive" during the recession in 2008, and didn't grow for three years, but is now on the road to success.

Mr Meredith added: "We won contracts last year which enabled us to renew half our fleet of vehicles. We moved to new premises four times the size of our previous site.

"We have experienced 30 per cent growth last year in revenue and already recruited seven staff this year.

"Our vision is that we are going to turn over £3.5m this year and expect it to be £10m in four years' time."

He said his company also has access to a nationwide network of up to 2,000 vans owned by drivers