ONE of the UK's fastest growing motor retailers has established its UK headquarters for preparing used cars for sale, in the Tees Valley.

Vertu, the UK's eighth largest motor retailer, has created 19 direct jobs and five sub contracts after investing £2m in the Vehicle Solutions centre in Darlington.

The Morton Road site is responsible for the procurement, assessment, preparation for sale and distribution of used vehicles for all the firms UK dealerships.

The centre, at a former Volvo trucks site, houses a mechanical workshop, re-spraying depot and onsite bodyshop, which has the capacity to service more than 300 cars per month Vertu, which was founded in 2006 by Robert Forrester, the former managing director of Sunderland based Reg Vardy before its sale to Pendragon that year, has also opened its fourth training centre for staff adjoining the site.

Mr Forrester said: "Vertu Motors is showing its faith in the North East by basing its centre in Darlington.

"With its excellent transport links and experienced skill base, Darlington is the ideal location for the preparation centre.

"It is an essential part of our network servicing dealerships from Dunfermline in the North to Exeter in the South.

"Locating the operation in Darlington further demonstrates our confidence in the town.

"Alongside our existing Nissan, Renault and SEAT dealerships in Darlington, the new centre further establishes our business as a key employer in the area and a strong advocate of the benefits of investing in the town."

The Gateshead based group operates 86 franchised and 3 non-franchised sales operations from 70 different locations across the UK.

It trades predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Honda and Bristol Street Motor Nation brands and last year expanded into Scotland, trading under the Macklin Motors name.

Its outlets include Nissan Darlington, Renault Darlington, Seat Darlington, and Vauxhall Durham.

Since 2008 the firm has increased annual turnover from 677m to 946m.

Cars at the new centre are assessed in order to carry out any specific maintenance required before being despatched to the groups UK dealerships.

Before any car can be released from the preparation centre it must pass an MOT and a mechanical, structural and cosmetic inspection.

Centre manager Alan Riddell added: "This centre enables us to further enhance our reputation for delivering extremely vigorous inspections of used vehicles."