A new Inverness state-of-the-art showroom has opened with the aim of making quality affordable second-hand cars more affordable for younger people.

Dicksons of Inverness has invested a total of around £1m into its new project CARZAR, creating 10 new jobs.

The new showroom is opposite the existing Dicksons showroom on Carsegate Road.

The project is being driven forward by managing director Fraser Bryce who believes that people aged 20-35 are generally being priced out of the car market.

He said: “Young people have, to an extent, been left behind by rising vehicle prices. We thought we should create an opportunity for them to buy a quality car from a reputable dealer and arrange finance at their leisure.

“Or they can come in and browse some of the top-quality vehicles we will have in the showroom.”

Sharif Sheen who has joined the business will head up CARZAR as the brand manager.

He was previously the general manager of a dealership in the Midlands and has relocated to the Highlands with his wife and four children.

As part of CARZAR, Dicksons is building an app which allows clients to make their choice and will also help customers check if they are eligible for the required credit, avoiding the potential embarrassment of being turned down in a showroom.

The showroom said the app is still being developed with the aim of it being ready for early next year.

Dicksons has been in Inverness since 1972 and employs around 70 people.