An innovative project aimed at encouraging companies to make their supply chains greener has been extended and is now being offered to firms that are looking to transport freight via the sea.

The Haven Gateway Partnership's Low Carbon Freight Dividend (LCFD) scheme was previously targeted at hauliers who wanted to transfer their road-based deliveries on to the railways.

It was first launched in the east of England last year with the intention of removing 30,000 container movements from the road and by opening the process up to sea-based distributors, it can now provide support for a further 45 small and medium-sized enterprises.

As a result, an extra 3,700 loads can be shifted on to the water and the overall project is said to be worth £8.4 million.

Eligible organisations will receive an LCFD of up to 30 per cent for making the switch over.

The government is desperate to drive down the UK's carbon emissions and experts believe that the best way to achieve this is to take as many lorries off the roads as possible and replace them with more eco-friendly rail freight services.