A cargo loading system for use with a cargo storage area of a vehicle, the cargo loading system comprising: a mast frame; a carriage assembly supported by the mast frame, the carriage assembly comprising: lifting forks a fork lateral control mechanism configured to control lateral movement of the lifting forks across the carriage assembly; and a carriage pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame about a first vertical axis; a carriage vertical control assembly configured to control raising and lowering of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame, characterised in that the cargo loading system further comprises: a fork pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the lifting forks relative to the carriage assembly about a second vertical axis, between a first position in which the lifting forks extend away from the carriage assembly and a second position in which the lifting forks extend along the carriage assembly; a mast frame actuating assembly configured to control lateral movement of the mast frame relative to an open end of the cargo storage area of the vehicle. a mast frame; a carriage assembly supported by the mast frame, the carriage assembly comprising: lifting forks a fork lateral control mechanism configured to control lateral movement of the lifting forks across the carriage assembly; and a carriage pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame about a first vertical axis; a carriage vertical control assembly configured to control raising and lowering of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame, characterised in that the cargo loading system further comprises: a fork pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the lifting forks relative to the carriage assembly about a second vertical axis, between a first position in which the lifting forks extend away from the carriage assembly and a second position in which the lifting forks extend along the carriage assembly; a mast frame actuating assembly configured to control lateral movement of the mast frame relative to an open end of the cargo storage area of the vehicle. lifting forks a fork lateral control mechanism configured to control lateral movement of the lifting forks across the carriage assembly; and a carriage pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame about a first vertical axis; a carriage vertical control assembly configured to control raising and lowering of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame, characterised in that the cargo loading system further comprises: a fork pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the lifting forks relative to the carriage assembly about a second vertical axis, between a first position in which the lifting forks extend away from the carriage assembly and a second position in which the lifting forks extend along the carriage assembly; a mast frame actuating assembly configured to control lateral movement of the mast frame relative to an open end of the cargo storage area of the vehicle. a fork pivot control mechanism configured to control pivotal movement of the lifting forks relative to the carriage assembly about a second vertical axis, between a first position in which the lifting forks extend away from the carriage assembly and a second position in which the lifting forks extend along the carriage assembly; a mast frame actuating assembly configured to control lateral movement of the mast frame relative to an open end of the cargo storage area of the vehicle.