Inadequate facilities are putting many women off seeking careers in the haulage industry, according to a government minister.

Claire Perry, the transport minister, believes haulage firms often fail to ensure truck stops are equipped with good-quality toilets.

This, she said, is one of the reasons why many females do not find the sector a desirable career option.

"Women do not want to be long-distance drivers partly because some of the rest facilities are absolutely atrocious," she commented.

Ms Perry said there is "enormous talent pool" of people for whom long-distance driving would be an appropriate career. 

However, she said issues such as this are making it difficult for haulage firms to both attract and retain drivers.

Ms Perry added that raising the terms and conditions and working practices of many parts of the industry could attract non-traditional drivers to "what is an important and growing part of the British economy".