A GROUP of tanker drivers have braved the cold to support a sacked worker.

Staff at Wincanton, who deliver fuel for BP Castrol, launched their second 24-hour strike today in a bid to get their colleague reinstated.

Around 30 are protesting outside the Bridges Road premises in Ellesmere Port.

One worker told the Pioneer: “We started about midnight, it’s been a really good turn out despite the cold weather! We’re all right behind him.”

The driver, who worked for the company for 17 years, was dismissed for alleged use of a hand held mobile phone while driving a forty-tonne articulated vehicle.

His union, Unite, claims there is no substance to the allegations, adding that workers are concerned there may be an ulterior motive behind the dismissal.

However, Wincanton has stood firm saying it would make “no apologies” for fully enforcing its health and safety guidelines.

- See full story in next week’s Ellesmere Port Pioneer.