The deal comes less than a year after Morris Leslie Plant Hire ordered £87.5m worth of JCB machines. The new fleet will all be supplied throughout 2024 in an expression of confidence in the housebuilding and construction market.

The substantial order – to be supplied by dealer Scot JCB – includes Loadall telescopic handlers, X Series excavators, mini excavators, compaction rollers and site dumpers. Significantly, the deal also includes 50 JCB backhoe loaders – one for every year Morris Leslie Plant Hire has been in business and a product on which the success of the company was built.

JCB chairman Anthony Bamford handed over the keys to one of the backhoes to founder Morris Leslie – a special Platinum Edition machine produced to mark the JCB backhoe’s 70th birthday.

Mr Leslie said: “Over the years we have bought more than 7,000 JCB machines, so our success over the past half century is very much intertwined with that of JCB and we look forward to building on our partnership in the years to come.”

Scot JCB sales director David Park added: “This significant order for new JCB machines in the company’s 50th anniversary year underlines Morris Leslie’s commitment and confidence in the construction industry.”

Lord Bamford said: “We are very proud of our long association with Morris Leslie Plant Hire. Like many of our customers, the company has grown from very small beginnings into a force to be reckoned with in the plant hire sector.

“From one family company to another, we wish Morris Leslie Plant Hire a very happy 50th birthday.”