Under the contract, valued at about GBP2m, Speedy will provide all of the lifting equipment necessary to undertake maintenance at the sites.

The company has previously supplied hire equipment to Sellafield on an ad hoc basis.

Speedy has also agreed to deliver on-site support for employees in addition to testing, inspecting and repair work on lifting equipment on site.

Speedy Engineering Services operations director Martin Rusher said the very nature of nuclear decommissioning work such as those at Sellafield often require very sensitive lifting operations in which there is little margin for error.

"Each lifting task requires both careful logistical planning and the use of reliable, specialist equipment. It’s also vital that operatives are fully trained in how to use each piece of kit to help complete work effectively and efficiently," Rusher said.

UK-based Speedy is a supplier of equipment and support services.