Lord Prescott becomes White Van Man as KCOM names fleet

The former Deputy Prime Minister today launched a new scheme by KCOM to rename all of its 95 vans after famous people from Hull’s past and present.

Lord Prescott unveiled his van – number 01 – in Jameson Street as KCOM launched a public appeal for suggestions to name the other 94 vehicles in its fleet.

The vans will bear the name of their illustrious namesakes for the rest of the 2017 UK City of Culture year.

Sitting inside his new van Lord Prescott, said: “I delighted to be the first person to have one of these vans named after me as part of this very special year for Hull.

"I’m not sure about having ‘Lord’ on the van but that’s the name that’s been given to me.

"It’s such a fantastic year for the city and any opportunity to shout about Hull is a good thing and it’s about time.

"People are doing a lot of things to make Hull different and this is another company getting together, using their vans in this culture year. People will see it and talk about it.

"Hull was always great, but Hull people don't always think of it being great. It's awakened a feeling of pride in the city."

And he warned the engineers whose van it is: "Look after it lads, don't let anyone put any graffiti on it, don't leave it in an alleyway."

Cathy Phillips, KCOM’s chief marketing officer, said: "During this first Made In Hull season of City of Culture year we want to celebrate all the great people and places that have made Hull what it is today.

"We are delighted that Lord Prescott has agreed to be the first person to have one of our vans named after him. As one of the most famous political figures to come out of the city and as a tireless champion for Hull, we thought it was fitting that the ‘John Prescott’ was the first van to hit the streets.

"We are renaming our vans in honour of Hull’s greatest sons and daughters and would like local people to suggest who they should be. We’re expecting names such as William Wilberforce and Amy Johnson to be popular, but we’re also hoping for some more unsung heroes to be put forward too.

"If people want to suggest names of iconic Hull buildings or landmarks, such as the Humber Bridge, we’ll also consider naming some of our vans after those places that mean the most to the city."

Each of the vans will bear its own its distinctive name and number and people are being encouraged to start ‘collecting’ them in the same way road users spot Eddie Stobart lorries.

Cathy said: "Our vans are a familiar sight out and about on the streets of Hull and East Yorkshire and soon people will be able to start spotting all the different Hull legends emblazoned on their sides. We’re hoping that someone will spot them all by the end of the year."

People can suggest a name by visiting kcomhome.com/hull2017vans and registering their nomination by 5pm on Thursday, 9 March.