DROITWICH haulage firm Potter Logistics has marked its 50th birthday with a lorry load of awards.

The Cutnall Green based company has won motor transport haulier of the year, Palletline depot of the year gold award; and warehouse manager, young employee and chairman’s award at the United Kingdom Warehousing Association awards in July. To finish off its winning streak the company's executive chairman and founder Derrick Potter was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Rail Freight Group of which he is founding member.

The family run business, which was set up by Mr Potter in 1965 and now employs around 300 staff, has also reported a strong set of financial results, consolidating its recent rapid growth.

This financial year saw a profit before tax of £1.72m with turnover falling slightly to £24.7m from the previous year. However, the financial results include the significant cost of the relocation of the firm's Knowsley operation on Merseyside to a new 87,000 square foot facility on Knowsley Industrial park.

Managing director Matthew Lamb said: "We are delighted to report another strong trading year, particularly as the company has celebrated its 50th year in business. We are very proud of the achievements our colleagues and logistics operations as during 2015 we have won a number of prestigious awards. Trading for the new financial year of 2015-16 is currently strong and we are cautiously optimistic of producing another strong year of financial results.”

The company provides specialist logistics solutions focusing on the chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical and food industries. Potter Logistics operates six distribution centres located in Droitwich, Ely, Knowsley, Ripon, Selby and York.