A Swindon transport firm has invested £4 million to meet an increase in demand for its services.

Les Smith Haulage, marking its 50th year in business, has put the money towards upgrading and renewing 10 of the company's fleet.

This includes the introduction of six Mercedes units and four fully-branded rigid trucks, raising the total to 52 vehicles.

Founded by Les Smith and now run by sons Tony, Danny and Nick, the independent transport provider has been a member of Palletways UK, the largest express palletised freight network in Europe, for four years.

Les Smith Haulage has made a £4 million investmentLes Smith Haulage has made a £4 million investment (Image: Les Smith Haulage)

It offers services including collecting and delivering approximately 1,400 pallets for Palletways each week, ranging from individual pallets to large-scale consignments.

It operates across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and around Swindon and Hungerford.

Director of Les Smith Haulage, Nick Smith, said: "This is a monumental year for us and, despite what continues to be challenging times within the logistics industry, we grow and expand as a business.

"Our 72-strong team are fundamental to our success, every single person is vital to our longevity."

Rob Gittins, managing director of Palletways UK, added: "Les Smith is a great asset to the network and their success over the past 50 years is to be celebrated.

"We work closely with their management team to grow our presence in these counties, and this has paid off with Les Smith recently taking on additional postcode areas and responsibilities with us."

The new vehicles have a Euro 6 engine specification which meets the latest emission requirements.

The tractor units are the most recent models on the market with improved aerodynamics, internal cab space and safety and energy efficiency features.

Les Smith came to Swindon from London in 1965 and started working as a coalman for the Gorse Hill firm of Stallards.

When they closed the haulage side of their business, an opportunity was created for Mr Smith to start up on his own with one of their redundant trucks.

The company now serves many of Swindon’s most prominent firms and delivers to all corners of the UK mainland.

It is based across three sites in Swindon, including its new head office in South Marston.

It offers services including UK-wide next day delivery, general haulage, Moffett truck delivery and pallet network services.

The firm is one of more than 120 independent transport providers that are part of the Palletways UK network.