Back row, left to right, rider Mark Le Pavoux, Karl Guille of contract presenter the Environment Department, instructor Bob Blake and riders Iain Philips and Ian Duquemin, front. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0892044)

FROM today, the States’ escort services contract is to be handled by Guernsey Outriders.

The company, part of the Alderney Shipping Group, won the three-year contract following a tendering process carried out by the States.

The contract had previously belonged to Island Coachways.

Lorraine Jay, general manager of the Alderney Shipping Group, said it was a terrific contract to win.

Seven of the group’s staff, including new employees Ian Duquemin and Mark Le Pavoux, who were taken on as full-time motorcyclists to operate the escort service, were sworn in as special constables last week.

In addition, three new Honda Deauville motorcycles have been bought to run the service, as well as a van, which will provide cover in extremely poor conditions.

‘The escorts provide the service to lorries that have got abnormal loads and as we are a haulage company, we understand what it’s like to do that,’ said Mrs Jay.