End of the road for Eddie Stobart trucks?

EDDIE Stobart could disappear from the roads in a row over who owns the name.

The haulage firm’s name – which appears on 2,500 lorries and has its own spotters’ club – is at risk because of a legal battle between Eddie Stobart Logistics and its exparent firm Stobart Group.

Stobart Group went public in 2007, then decided to focus on airports and green energy. The trucking division, ESL, floated for £550m last year – with Stobart Group retaining rights to the name and a 12.5pc stake.

Now, Alex Laffey, ESL’s boss, has been told he can use the name for £3m a year, buy the rights to it in Britain forever for £15m, or get exclusive use for £50m. Laffey said he might ditch it entirely if no compromise is reached.