MG dealers were given a civic send off after they collected the first UK production MG6 models to mark the start of a new era for the brand.

The dealers collected the first MG6 demonstrators from MG Motor UK’s factory at the Longbridge site then drove to Birmingham’s Council House where they were waved off by Mike Whitby, the leader of the city council.

MG dealers will now start taking formal orders for the all-new MG – the first in 16 years – and the first deliveries to customers will begin next month.

Three trim models of the 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol MG6 are available with prices ranging from £15,495 to £18,995 for the top-of-the-range TSE model.