OKEHAMPTON'S Devon and Cornwall Distribution has been taken over by a Welsh-based national distribution contractor and the future looks bright, according to manager Cliff Seymour-Smith.

Mr Seymour-Smith said being part of a bigger company like Rhys Davies Freight Logistics was a positive move forward.

'Rhys Davies has a national network of depots whereas Devon and Cornwall Distribution had just one,' he said. 'With the way the Government is treating transport at the moment regarding tax and fuel prices you've got to be part of a bigger company.

'Larger companies also have a lot more buying power. We could only buy the occasional vehicle, a company like this can buy several at a time.'

Mr Seymour-Smith set up Devon and Cornwall Distribution six years ago and moved the depot from Launceston to Okehampton in 1996.

The firm transported everything from food to lintels for buildings within Devon and Cornwall and employed six drivers and three office staff.

The manager said: 'The firm has been taken over at a very busy time and we have hit the ground running.

'At the moment we are just managing to cope with what we are doing but next year we will need more vehicle and more drivers.'

With the back up of the Rhys Davies national network, the Okehampton operation will have the opportunity to extend its service, both physically and geographically, into and out of the South West.

The Welsh-based company has in excess of 200 vehicles operating out of its seven depots in the UK.

It has an annual turnover of £22-million and employs 330 people.