A method for controlling a preform for stretch blow moulding a container with an integrally formed handle and a neck portion; said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said preform transferred from a preform supply source to a blow moulding tool for blowing said container; said method including the steps of: a. passing said preform through a preform handle orienting apparatus, b. transferring said preform to a preform transportation system, c. maintaining orientation of said integrally formed handle imposed by said preform handle orienting apparatus during transfer to said preform transportation system, d. rotating said preform during transport by said preform transportation system past an array of preform heating elements, e. heating the body portion of the preform to a degree of plasticity for the material of the body of the preform to be biaxially oriented in the stretch blow-moulding process, f. shielding said integrally formed handle and neck portion from excessive exposure to heating from said heating elements to prevent crystallization and consequent loss of strength of said integrally formed handle and neck portion, wherein for transport through a heating stage the handle is protected by a shield and the neck portion by a cylindrical socket, g. transferring said preform from said transportation system to said blow moulding tool, while maintaining orientation of said integrally formed handle. said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said preform transferred from a preform supply source to a blow moulding tool for blowing said container; said method including the steps of: a. passing said preform through a preform handle orienting apparatus, b. transferring said preform to a preform transportation system, c. maintaining orientation of said integrally formed handle imposed by said preform handle orienting apparatus during transfer to said preform transportation system, d. rotating said preform during transport by said preform transportation system past an array of preform heating elements, e. heating the body portion of the preform to a degree of plasticity for the material of the body of the preform to be biaxially oriented in the stretch blow-moulding process, f. shielding said integrally formed handle and neck portion from excessive exposure to heating from said heating elements to prevent crystallization and consequent loss of strength of said integrally formed handle and neck portion, wherein for transport through a heating stage the handle is protected by a shield and the neck portion by a cylindrical socket, g. transferring said preform from said transportation system to said blow moulding tool, while maintaining orientation of said integrally formed handle. a. passing said preform through a preform handle orienting apparatus, b. transferring said preform to a preform transportation system, c. maintaining orientation of said integrally formed handle imposed by said preform handle orienting apparatus during transfer to said preform transportation system, d. rotating said preform during transport by said preform transportation system past an array of preform heating elements, e. heating the body portion of the preform to a degree of plasticity for the material of the body of the preform to be biaxially oriented in the stretch blow-moulding process, f. shielding said integrally formed handle and neck portion from excessive exposure to heating from said heating elements to prevent crystallization and consequent loss of strength of said integrally formed handle and neck portion, wherein for transport through a heating stage the handle is protected by a shield and the neck portion by a cylindrical socket, g. transferring said preform from said transportation system to said blow moulding tool, while maintaining orientation of said integrally formed handle.