There is a new name in the road freight industry in the region as the Southampton to Cowes, Isle of Wight ferry operator, Red Funnel, relaunches its distribution division.

Formerly Vectis Transport, the ferry operator has rebranded the operation as Red Funnel Distribution with a completely new image.

Under the banner of the new company name Red Funnel says it will be offering an improved and extended service to both mainland and Isle of Wight customers.

The moves come as the company's owners, Associated British Ports put Red Funnel up for sale with prospective buyers already interested in acquiring the operation.

John Rayner, director of Red Funnel Distribution said: "The new-look trailers reflect the complete overhaul of our distribution service.

"We are proud of our long history of providing a freight distribution service second to none and of offering a highly competitive, efficient and comprehensive service.''

The new look will be emblazoned across the company's fleet of vehicles, with five trailers featuring pictures of the ferries in full colour while a further ten trailers are being rebadged in a streamlined design carrying the slogan "Red Funnel Distribution, the Isle of Wight solution.''

Red Funnel has been offering a distribution service for 82 years, since Vectis was established in 1918.

This year the company is investing £750,000 in new trucks as part of an ongoing upgrading programme.

The rebadging of the lorry fleet will be completed by the end of 2001, with 50 per cent achieved by the end of this year.

Red Funnel Distribution is also one of the industry leaders in the use of modern technology. It has a fully computerised traffic management system and an e-mail bookings service is also available.

A section of the Red Funnel website is dedicated to the distribution division at www.redfunnel.co.uk/freight.

Red Funnel Distribution is used to carrying all kinds of products for its customers but one or two have been especially memorable.

"One of our more unusual cargoes concerned a Dragon Ride from the Children's World at The Needles Park,'' said Mr Rayner.

"We certainly turned a few heads en route as the dragon's head poked out from the top of the trailer.

"We have transported dinosaurs to the island - of the fibreglass variety - and on one occasion we even delivered a 15ft sculpture of Earl Vincent to the Caribbean island of that name, where he stands overlooking a rum distillery.''

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.