Numbers game
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A computer has put the brakes on a Northamptonshire coach and truck operator's 25-year old tradition and I'm told he's not very pleased about it.
Paul Gilbey, managing director of Shelton-Orsborn Ltd, of Wollaston, has been told by the vehicle licensing authorities at Swansea that he can no longer reserve the number 310 which has been a feature of his fleet since just after the war.
Mr Gilbey explained that 310 had formed a part of the registration numbers of 150 coaches, lorries cars his firm had operated. It something to make them a "litt special" and it was selected bec, at that time, it was also the firm's phone number.
But since computerized ve registration has been centraliz( Swansea, "reservations" are out Mr Gilbey has complained t, local MP and to the Ministe Transport. He had, however signed himself to the situa remarking: "I'll have to try tc consecutive numbers instead. another example of the machin, taking away what little individt we have left." Now I hear that dealers have offered him any that come their way, so perhaps win the numbers game after all