MOTOR group European Motor Holdings (EMH) has steered towards higher profits in the past year.

The company, which operates dealerships across the North-East, including Mill Garages, saw pre-tax profits for the year to February 28 rise by 23 per cent to £10.4m.

Much of that was down to its motor retailing division, where sales in key franchises rose 22 per cent.

Richard Palmer, EMH's chief executive, said: "We have continued to make excellent progress during the last year.

"The motor industry has enjoyed a record-breaking level of sales, and the group has maintianed an industry- leading performance."