A LORRY map' that helps lost truckers find their way through Worcestershire has been shortlisted for a national award.

The map is the brainchild of Worcestershire County Council's Freight Quality Partnership, which has been responsible for a number of successful projects since it was established in 2002 to solve local issues raised by HGV firms.

Its successes include the production of the lorry map, indicating the best available routes for HGVs in the county and showing industrial and trading estates with their points of local access, and the installation of improved signage in key areas in a bid to reduce the number of lost HGV drivers.

Now the partnership, which also includes representatives from HGV firms, district and parish councils and the police, has been shortlisted for the Freight Transport Association's Freight Quality Partnership Award 2008.

The award is designed to recognise the local authority which has most helped the movement of goods.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Derek Prodger, said: "I am delighted that the county's freight partnership has been shortlisted, as it has been successful in establishing a number of initiatives.

"The council is committed to managing all forms of transport in the most efficient way. The delivery and collection of goods is essential to the economy, as it is important to the quality of people's lives and has an impact on the environment."

The winner of the award will be announced at a conference in London on March 11.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the partnership should visit worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wcc-ht-freight.