A LEDBURY firm has just completed its first major order for an above-ground petrol storage tank.

Ledbury Welding and Engineering is hoping the revolutionary technology used in constructing the massive tank will transform the way petrol is stored across the whole of Europe.

Traditionally, safety regulations have required petrol to be stored below ground. But Kevin Powell, of Ledbury Welding, said that has big drawbacks in terms of ground contamination and accessibility.

"Add to these the disruption and high costs of excavation and associated civil works and the advantages of safe, above ground storage are evident," he said.

Over the past two years the Ledbury firm has supplied US manufactured petrol tanks but now, following intensive vetting by South West Research Institute of San Antonio in Texas, it has sole rights to manufacture and market the tank in the UK, Ireland and much of Europe.

The vetting tests were extremely severe - the unit was heated to over 1,000C for four hours and subjected to a high-pressure hose jet, heavy vehicle impact simulation, bullet impact and fire tests.

The first sale was a 37,000 litre unit for Honda in Swindon and the firm hopes to supply four larger tanks to a petrol retailer.