James takes a site tour around namesake firm

AN inquisitive youngster from Widnes has been rewarded for his curiosity about why his name kept appearing on the side of lorries and buildings during family trips with a VIP visit.

To help explain the mystery to six-year-old James Latham, dad Stephen, a teacher in St Helens, had the bright idea of contacting the nationwide timber and panel products distributor on Twitter.

He asked if James could visit one of their branches, and the kindhearted team at the Leeds site were more than happy to oblige.

The Latham family – comprising Stephen, mum Claire, James and younger brother Thomas aged just two and who all live in Widnes – were invited for a VIP tour where James junior got to see his name everywhere.

On arrival at the 66,000sq ft stateof-the art distribution site, James, who is a pupil at Lunt’s Heath Primary School on Wedgwood Drive, and his brother were given specially made high-visibility jackets for their tour and they also received a goody bag of items, all emblazoned with the James Latham name.

They were also presented with a miniature forklift truck, kindly supplied by Combilift which both boys were very excited about as they got to sit in a real one during their tour.

But the real highlight of the visit for James came when he got to sit in one of the distinctive purple and green lorries with his name splashed across the cab and trailer.

Dad Stephen thanked their hosts for the day adding: “This has been a truly amazing experience and one which our boys will never forget.

“They were very excited about today and both had a wonderful time, but particularly James, who now says he would like to own a factory when he grows up!”

The original James Latham set up the business more than 260 years ago in Liverpool.