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The head of Manpower Driving warns that the driver shortage could bite hard in five years' time if new entrants are not attracted into the industry.

Simon Edwards commented as Manpower's new survey showed that transport bosses remain confident about recruitment with 15% of employers intending to take on more staff during April to June. Just 2% say they will make cutbacks.

Edwards says: "The shortage is not as dramatic as that initially envisaged when there were predictions of 80,000  drivers needed. That said, I think we're going to feel it in five years time based on the average age of drivers, especially if new people do not come into the sector."

Edwards says companies should pay more attention to salaries, benefits, training and flexible working opportunities to retain good staff.