AS usual the latest forecasts are for increased spending this Christmas - more presents, more food, more drink, more of everything.

Fresh evidence the other day when the giant container ship Emma Maersk docked in Felixstowe, discharging all manner of goods from the Far East, heading for the Christmas market.

Throughout the year the transport industry, and particularly the lorry, comes in for a lot of criticism, much of it very unfair.

This year, as usual, Christmas will be delivered on the back of a lorry. Like almost everything else which we use and consume every day of our lives, our Christmas fare is the product of a lorry journey to the shops, to the factory, to the office - everywhere.

At the same time the massive and increasing amount of goods that are ordered over the internet this Christmas will be delivered to the home by van.

In recent years, there have been fabulous increases in commercial vehicle productivity and great progress in making them more environmentally friendly. They are now quieter, they make less emissions, there is less empty running, and their safety record is improving.

When the time comes for Santa to pension off the reindeer, it will be a lorry that he replaces them with.

Malcolm Bingham, Freight Transport Association, Springwood House, Low Lane, Horsforth, Leeds.