Car dealer group Hatfields has opened a Land Rover dealership in Liverpool, the first in the area for 30 years.

The showroom is alongside Hatfield's existing Jaguar dealership on Riverside Drive, which already had a Land Rover authorised repair franchise.

The business will be led by dealer principal Paul Darch and sales manager Mike Jeffs. A new sales team is being recruited along with additional support staff.

Land Rover UK managing director John Edwards attended the dealership launch event. He said: "With the site being so close to our Halewood factory, it is a great opportunity to celebrate our heritage and toast a long and fruitful relationship with Hatfields.”

Hatfields had held Land Rover sales franchises in Sheffield and Lincoln in the past but had retained only the Liverpool repair franchise until now.

Managing director Gareth Williams said: "We know the brand and its local customer base very well. We are delighted to have the opportunity to expand our relationship.”

"Land Rover perfectly complements our Jaguar sales operation here. Both are well-established and respected British brands which have secured a wide and loyal customer base over the years.”

Hatfields has sales franchises with Jaguar, Volvo and Hyundai, and authorised repair franchises for Chrysler Jeep and Dodge, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi.