A major order from top world formula one motor racing team West-McLaren, has been won by York-based specialist vehicle maker Pocklington Coachworks.

The £2.8 million turnover York business is putting together a vehicle to transport hospitality support to all the European Formula One Grand Prix events.

The firm has already completed orders for three similar vehicles to be used by the Castrol-Honda team throughout Europe in the World Superbikes competition.

The West-McLaren contract comes at the same time as confirmation of two orders for specially-designed mini buses for the disabled, one from Bournemouth Borough Council, the other from the British Polio Fellowship.

It is a spate of success following almost two years in which Pocklington Coachworks used a range of services under the guidance of Business Link North Yorkshire's personal business adviser Stuart Fuller.

Stuart prepared an assessment of the firm which was a finalist in the Evening Press Small Business of the Year Awards in 1996. Fran Johnson, who runs Pocklington Coachworks with co-directors Ian Urquhart and Robert Heads, said: "We are delighted with these orders, particularly West-McLaren's as this is our first major order from them and is likely to lead to several more. When we first met Stuart we were enthusiastic and ambitious with a fairly clear idea of where we wanted to go but were confused about how to get there.

By providing a view from outside the business and helping us to recognise and address a series of issues, he has been a real catalyst in our development."

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