A recruitment agency in Chippenham has signed up to a new voluntary scheme promoting good practice within the driving sector.

24/7 Staffing, which has offices in Chippenham and Yate, supplies staff to the driving, logistics, industrial, technical and commercial sectors.

The accreditation scheme was launched last month at Westminster, by the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

Julian Thompson, 24/7 managing director, was appointed as chairman of the governance group after working closely with the FTA over a three-year period.

He said: “This industry is not about getting just anyone behind the wheel, it’s about knowing the practices that make a good agency.

“The FTA’s Driver Agency Accreditation Scheme will give clients the assurance that the consultants understand the legislation involved with driving their vehicles and can deliver a quality service.”

At the launch, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill welcomed the FTA’s scheme to ensure high standards.

Driver agencies wanting to become accredited will need to have an independent audit of their systems.

FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier said: “Ensuring high standards are maintained is always a priority, but it may prove particularly important in a year when economic growth could increase the need to access a flexible workforce.”