The government has announced at further £300,000 of funding to teach van drivers more economical driving techniques.

The training programme - Van Best Practice - received the additional funds from this year's Sustainable Distribution Fund, and this is set to double to £600,000 a year.

A new Van Best Practice programme will also be funded to 2011, with thousands more drivers and companies set to benefit from efficiency best practice information.

"We want to help hauliers and van drivers continue to improve their operational efficiency and reduce costs,” said transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

“We have already helped companies make real savings. We are making these more widely available so that more businesses can benefit."

Since it started in 2003, the Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) programme has given around 12,000 truck drivers and 8,000 van drivers training in how to save fuel and improve driving techniques.

It focuses on simple measures, such as watching speeds, accelerating and braking more smoothly, and checking tyre pressures.

Van drivers who completed the course achieved an average 16% reduction in fuel use on the day.