Cumbrian-born logistics giant Eddie Stobart says it is achieving the tricky balancing act of transporting exceptional volumes of goods while protecting its workers from coronavirus.

In a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange, the AIM-listed company said pragmatic measures and effective planning meant it was keeping up with high levels of demand from customers typically seen during the Christmas period.

In the statement the company – which has a depot at Lillyhall, near Workington – said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees through these unprecedented times remains paramount.

“Economic uncertainty has led to market disruption, but we have implemented pragmatic measures to support our preparedness and ongoing ability to deliver services to customers to the same consistently high standards.

“Due to effective planning, our business is well placed to continue supporting all our customers' needs, fulfilling all work as usual, while also safeguarding the wellness of our employees.

“Like other key members of the supply chain, we are all experiencing exceptional volumes that we would typically see around Christmas.

“We applaud the Government's recent announcement for recognising the key role the logistics sector are providing in such turbulent times.”

The company added it was too early to say what impact the increased volumes of goods would have on profits or losses for the year ending November 30, 2020.

But bosses will clearly be hoping it is positive after Eddie Stobart reported a £199.842 million pre-tax loss for the six months to May 31, 2019.

The publication of these results had been delayed for five months when Eddie Stobart was suspended from the junior AIM stock exchange after its auditor’s came across a £2m accounting error.

The suspension led to warnings the haulier was on the brink of collapse and led to a frantic battle for control, which included a bid from former company boss and high-profile Cumbrian businessman.

It was readmitted shortly after long-term investor DBAY Advisors took control of the company in December, injecting £70m of liquidity and installing William Stobart – the fourth child of founder Eddie – to take on “day-to-day management responsibility”.

Mr Stobart – who served as the company’s chief executive until 2017 – has been hailed as key to reviving the fortunes of a company which was started in the 1940s.