Auction group Manheim is opening an sales facility at the former US air base Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire.

The venture is in partnership with C Walton, which owns Bruntingthorpe.

The facility will include a 30,000sq ft auction hall and increases Manheim's network to 21 UK centres.

Bruntingthorpe offers vehicle storage and repair facilities for major fleets, rental companies and manufacturers.

It has already been used for vehicle auctions this year by Wilsons Auctions, the independent group with sales in UK and Ireland.

However AM understands that Wilsons will no longer use Bruntingthorpe.

Manheim's first sale will be held in January, and will be expanded to include regular sales of cars, vans and trucks from manufacturers and leasing companies.

Mike Pilkington, managing director, Manheim Auctions & Remarketing, said: “We are already in advanced discussions with several major fleet and manufacturer vendors who are keen to take advantage of the obvious attractions to both buyers and vendors of the location and facilities available from Bruntingthorpe.

"We will soon be formalising the auction programme and look forward to welcoming our customers to review the new facility in January. I believe that this new Midlands super-centre will be of particular interest to buyers and will enable us to set new standards in vehicle remarketing”.

John Walton, Director of C Walton Limited further commented: “Through this new partnership with Manheim I believe that we can offer shared and new clients a unique service. We have chosen to work with Manheim because its commitment to remarketing innovation complements our own strategy of creating a facility where anything is possible.”