ONE of the largest ovens in England has been installed at a Hampshire company.

But this five-metre high monster bakes buses rather than food, for bus refurbishers Hants & Dorset Trim.

The unusual facility has been installed at the firm's Barton Park Industrial Estate facility in Eastleigh.

The move comes after the company was bought by the Go Ahead Group in 2006 and merged with Hants & Dorset Paint.

The enlarged group has won orders from transport operators across the UK, and its skilled team of upholsterers, metal workers and coach builders has increased from 36 to 47, with recruitment continuing.

Although owned by Go Ahead, 60 per cent of current orders are from other UK bus and coach operators, ranging from seat replacement to complete livery changes and even structural alterations, such as opentop bus conversions.

Dave Clack, general manager at Hants & Dorset Trim, said the eightmetre long facility is large enough to accommodate most buses and coaches used by European fleet operators.

He said: "The air is heated to a modest 68 degrees, and then special air vents ensure that the best finish is obtained by the circulation of the warm air.

The new livery on a double-decker bus can be dried within 35 minutes."