It's a real family affair at expanding digger training school.

Machine operator training has become something of a family affair for a North Staffordshire company which has just bought its fourth JCB machine in three years. 

More than 1,000 trainees have passed through the doors of Williamsons of Endon since the training facility was established in 2002 by owner Frank Williamson. More relatives have joined the 14-strong team over the years, including Frank’s eldest son Ben, an instructor/tester; and Ben’s partner Sarah Addison who is Company Secretary. In addition, Frank’s son-in-law, Tom Cowley, is also an instructor and an NVQ Assessor.

Frank, Ben and Tom are real machine men and JCB fans. They have all worked for the excavator giant in the past and have just bought a 13-tonne JS130 tracked excavator made at JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter. The machine, fitted with a JCB Ecomax Tier 4 Final/ Stage IV engine, is just up their street because it delivers lower emissions and improved fuel consumption, which also saves them money.

The company’s fleet of 24 machines also includes a JCB 525-125 HiViz Loadall telescopic handler, a JCB 8026 CTS mini excavator, a JCB 426 wheel loader and a JCB 3CX backhoe.

Frank, 55, said: “I’m from a farming background and bought my first JCB – a 3D backhoe loader – when I was 18. I’ve operated many more since and later as a driver with JCB’s Dancing Diggers demonstration team.

“I've even appeared as a JCB driver on the TV show Top Gear and in two films – Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Ali G Indahouse. Actress Lesley Joseph from Birds of a Feather lived with us once for two weeks while we trained her to operate a JCB excavator for an ITV1 programme called ‘Celebrities Under Pressure’ ”.

He added: “We really rate JCB machines and being environmentally friendly is part of my firm's remit too. We love working together as a family and that's set to continue because Sarah's expecting a baby. It means we already have another operator in the making.”