A Lancashire BMW dealership's website design division is challenging specialist companies by offering the service to other car retailers.

Lee Collins, managing director of Prestons BMW, Colne, said: “We did this to give ourselves an edge and have now set up sites for several other dealers.” Prestons' website was now the first contact point for 20% of its used car sales, he said.

Konrad McLean, the development consultant who constructed the Prestons' website, said: “It includes an online shop which is the first of its kind for a UK BMW dealership.”