The owner of Alsager Contractors has been disqualified from running trucks for 12 months after an investigation revealed poor safety standards.

Nick Jones, the industry regulator, also made an order to revoke the firm's operating licence - and a sole trader licence held by the director - from November 1 2015.

The company, which operates from Chemical Lane in Stoke-on-Trent, was called before the Commissioner after an investigation revealed issues with vehicle safety standards.

In a written decision issued after the hearing, Jones said: "George Talbot told me that he would be seeking to retire in due course, however his failings are such that in the interests of both road safety and fair competition, I will be making that decision for him."

The firm¹s transport manager, Stephen Talbot, did not attend the hearing and was disqualified from working in that role again until he passes new transport manager CPC examinations.