NORTH Tawton’s Gregory Distribution will be displaying one of its 44-tonne articulated vehicles in Exeter today (October 29), inviting the public to get up close and personal with a lorry.

The event is part of the Road Haulage Association National Lorry Week, a UK-wide awareness campaign developed to demonstrate to the public and politicians the vital role that lorries and road freight play in moving the economy and daily life.

Paul Willis, Gregory’s head of business support and compliance and chairman of the North Devon Road Haulage Association, said: ‘As well as the principle aim of raising the awareness of the essential role of the road transport industry, we will use the event to highlight cycle awareness with bicycles positioned around the vehicle in the driver’s blind spots.

‘We’ll welcome cyclists to get in the cab to witness for themselves where drivers cannot see bikes and by increasing their understanding of the everyday challenges drivers face, we’ll be encouraging them to ride responsibly anywhere near a lorry.

‘We will be happy to answer any questions from the general public and would especially like to hear from anyone interested in a career in driving and other industry-related jobs.

‘The Gregory trailer we have chosen to display has a bespoke livery supporting the achievements of Exeter Chiefs which is quite appropriate as the event coincides with the start of the Aviva Premiership and falls within the same week as the Rugby World Cup Final.’

National Lorry Week takes place between October 26 to October 31 and the Gregory vehicle will be on display in Bedford Square on October 28 and 29 when its team will be collecting for Age UK Exeter, the 2015 charity partner of Princesshay.