A DRAINAGE firm has invested £750,000 in specialist vehicles to target new contracts.

HCS Drain Services, in Stockton, has bought four 26-tonne units to clean larger sewers and empty septic tanks.

The company, which is a division of civil engineer Owen Pugh, has already taken delivery of its first truck, with bosses saying it will receive the remaining three later this year.

Two of the vehicles will be based at its Stockton headquarters, with the remaining two at its depot in Blaydon, near Gateshead.

The firm says the tankers will allow the firm to win work across the region, including contracts with Durham County Council, Middlesbrough Council and South Tyneside Council.

Dale Watson, HCS’ general manager, said: “The units will give us greater flexibility in serving existing clients, ensuring we meet their ever increasing needs as we move out of the recession.

“It will also increase our fleet of HGVs to develop new business in the North-East.”

HCS carries out a number of services, including CCTV sewer surveys, drain re-lining and drain repairs.

Earlier this year, Owen Pugh, which employs more than 360 North-East workers and has headquarters in Dudley, Northumberland, revealed a £900,000 investment to strengthen its civil engineering division.

Subsidiary Owen Pugh GDC moved into a depot in Blaydon, allowing it to carry out drainage, flood alleviation and regeneration work for local authorities and water utility firms.