Almost four in five women are keen to get behind the wheel of a lorry, despite less than one per cent of truck drivers being female.

When the Freight Transport Association asked its female Twitter followers if they would be willing to drive a 44-tonne truck, 79 per cent of them voted yes.

This weight of interest from women isn’t reflected in the driver workforce, representing just 2,200 of Britain’s 315,000 registered truck drivers (0.69 per cent).

However, things could be changing with recent statistics suggesting a redress to the gender imbalance as younger women enter the profession. Currently, 15 per cent of female truck drivers are aged between 21 and 25.

“These figures are encouraging as it is essential that more women are recruited,” said the FTA’s skills policy development manager Sally Gilson.

The organisation believes that one of the biggest barriers for would-be truck drivers is the cost of gaining a licence and training - around £3,000 - and is calling for the government to introduce a suitable loan system.

Transport for London is also trying to address the transport industry’s shortage of women by visiting schools and career fairs, and providing work experience placements in a bid to encourage young people, especially young women, to pursue a career in transport.

“Women have always played an integral part in London's transport industry,” said Val Shawcross CBE, deputy mayor for transport. “For the capital to thrive, it is essential that we continue to invest in transport to meet growing demand.”