BOSSES at a Weymouth firm are 'delighted' with Bovington test results for their new armoured vehicle.

Staff at Universal Engineering created the ‘Ranger’ to survive roadside bombs and want Ministry of Defence contracts.

The prototype has been put through its paces at Bovington Camp’s off-road course.

Jeff Little, business development manager, said: “The quality has surprised many people who tested it.

“We’re delighted with the performance cross-country.

“At the moment you can either have a vehicle that will protect you or a vehicle that is manoeuvrable.

“This is a vehicle that serves both requirements.”

The Bovington tests are not MOD trials but were organised by Universal to get army feedback.

Mr Little said the Ministry of Defence has encouraged the development of Ranger, though an MoD spokesman said it currently has no plans to buy it.

The vehicle is still only a prototype, and the MoD recently bought a rival vehicle, the American made ‘Ridgback'.

Mr Little, of Osmington, said: “If we get an order we can produce the first one within six months.

“At the moment the Ministry of Defence doesn’t believe it’s got a need for it.

“But Ranger is a better vehicle than Ridgback - no doubt about it.

“The MoD has been encouraging us but we will probably see overseas sales first and then hopefully the MoD. We have a number of interested buyers.”

Mr Little is a retired brigadier who used to be in charge of buying many of vehicles currently operating in Afghanistan.

The 19-tonne Ranger has also just completed two weeks of road tests at Millbrook, Bedford.

The firm said results show a top speed of 73mph and a 0-45 mph time of seven seconds.

The company said Rangers’ key feature is its ‘floating’ armoured capsule.

Mr Little said: “Currently vehicles are built by basically taking a truck chassis and bolting armour on to that. We started with the armoured capsule.”

Ranger has three times the blast resistance of comparable vehicles, said the company.

John Scott, the project director, said: “Ranger has protection beyond the range offered by any other vehicle. It’s a lifesaver.”

Universal Engineering, whose headquarters is in Cumberland Drive, employs 250 people in Dorset, and it has three manufacturing sites on the Granby Industrial Estate.