CAR dealer Lookers yesterday revealed record profits on the back of industry forecasts that this year would be the second highest in history for car sales.

The firm said pre-tax profits for the half-year to June 30 were up 34 per cent at £10.3m, while turnover rose 28 per cent to £516.1m.

Lookers said the performance was likely to continue improving, with trading in July and last month well ahead of last year, and orders for September indicating that the positive trend would continue.

Lookers has more than 60 dealerships generating yearly sales of more than £700m.