Network Rail has opened its £25 million distribution hub at Ryton, Warwickshire.

Martin Elwood, director of national delivery service at Network Rail, said the hub would focus on delivering small parts such as toilet paper and light bulbs to 360 stocking points across the UK - which he claims forms 20 per cent of the products distributed by the body.

He stated rail transport was the first preference but was not the best solution - it is claimed the current set-up will save £5 million a year.

Mr Elwood said: "We transport millions of tonnes of railway products by rail - sleepers, ballast, that sort of thing - and that constitutes for about 80 per cent of what we do."

The 300,000 sq ft centre has taken over the location of a former Peugeot factory, which was demolished in 2007, and it was chosen for its connections to main lines, motorway networks and the A45.

Its new location will replace previous depots at Ludgershall, Lichfield and Worcester, although Network Rail states no jobs will be lost as a result of the changes and it will employ around 100 people - 25 of these roles will be new positions.