By our Northern Correspondent Eric Strongitharm Oswaldtwistle.
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Mystery surrounds the sudden departure of Spagthorpe fleet sales supremo Len Darnit following the return of a large number of Spadger delivery vans, previously thought to have been "sold" but now understood to have been supplied on contract hire deals.
Keen-eyed observers of the main "finishing area" at the legendary Iron Works (the cinder covered patch of land by the Oswaldtwistle rendering plant) have noticed a sudden overnight accumulation of Spadger, all sporting liveries of major Spagthorpe operators.
A leaked internal memo suggests that Damit departed just 24 hours before some 3,000 Spadgers were due to return to the Iron Works on lease deals. An audit by SMC expense cashiers has also revealed a large number of unpaid bills for entertaining fleet engineers at all-night drinking parties at Oswaldtwistle's leading nightdub, the Whippet a Go-Go.
Damit's rapid exit is in marked contrast to the recent comments made by SMC chairman Sir Jos Spagthorpe who publicly praised his sales acumen. "Our Len's been knocking 'em out reet well—WI didn't know better I'd say he's been giving 'em away!"
FLASH: Yesterday's on-site auction of Spagthorpe Spadgers resulted in sales of only three vehicles out of a total of 654. However, SMC has revealed it is currently in discussions with the Icelandic Navy to use the remaining Spadgers as gunnery targets for its Cod Patrol vessels.