COMMERCIAL vehicle registrations are the second highest on record since 1989, latest figures reveal.

Registrations during April totalled 28,368 units, up 11.4% from the same month the previous year. Light commercial vehicle registrations totalled 22,921 units, an increase of 11.8% compared to April 2002.

Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which produced the figures, said: 'This is a clear sign of a healthy economy. Businesses see the sound commercial sense behind continued investment in new trucks and vans.'