A CAR company has got the go-ahead for a £3 million development project which will create a brand new state-of-the-art showroom in Blackburn.

The Sanderson Bramhall Motor Group plc, parent company of Blackburn's Westwood Mercedes and Sanderson Ford dealerships, is bringing together the two sites in a new six-acre site on the Whitebirk estate. Currently the two divisions are on split sites with Westwood Mercedes based at Harwood Road, Rishton, and Sanderson Ford at Montague Street, Blackburn. Construction will begin in January and is expected to be completed by August 2000. The new site will have two car sales showrooms, extensive individual workshop facilities for both Ford and Mercedes cars and full aftersales support for drivers of both marques in the area.

There will also be a drive-in Rapid Fit service centre for Ford vehicles. The new project is part of an ongoing drive by Sanderson Bramhall to equip all its dealerships with the most up-to-date and user-friendly facilities for customers.

Les Dearden, director of the Blackburn and Burnley area, said: "Not only will the development give our customers access to one of the best car facilities in the North West, but it will greatly improve the working environment of all our 105 staff who will be working there."

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