STAFF at a car dealership were left astonished as a ten-year old boy led negotiations when his parents called to buy a car.

Craig Watson, a pupil at Corporation Road Junior School, Darlington, accompanied his parents, Gary and Julie, who are both deaf, as they went to buy a diesel Clio Dynamique car from Reg Vardy's Renault showroom in Eastmount Road, Darlington.

Acting as an interpreter and negotiator, Craig conveyed his parents' motoring requirements and discussed their concerns and queries with sales executive Jeff Kane.

Mr Kane said: "As well as being a cool customer to deal with, Craig drives a pretty hard bargain and is a credit to his family and his school.

"He demonstrated great maturity with superb communication skills that belie his years.

"He grasped sales and finance concepts with ease and interpreted mechanical details and the vehicle's configuration to his mum and dad, helping them to get to know their own car."

Mr Kane was determined to ensure that Craig fully understood the buying process and could put his parents' minds at ease that the car they had chosen was the right car for the family's needs.

Mr and Mrs Watson have been deaf from birth and have come to rely on Craig in many situations.

At home, Craig answers all telephone calls and makes important inquiries from the family's home, in Kitchen Street.

Mr Kane also presented Craig with a Renault goodie-bag, to ensure that he did not leave the dealership empty-handed.