A SURGE in super car purchases as has seen a North Yorkshire finance company boost its sales team by a third.

Knaresborough-based Oracle Finance, which also has offices in London and Glasgow, has hired 12 new employees, taking its workforce to 36.

The recruitment drive comes on the back of a record October for Oracle and a 20 per cent increase in business.

The company, which provides finance to the luxury car market, underwrites around £250 million of funding every year.

Oracle Finance managing director Peter Brook said: “2013 has been a very significant year for our company, and boosting our sales force by 33 per cent is a direct result of the number of inquiries we are handling combined with repeat business from existing customers.

“Even in the height of the recession the luxury car market was relatively buoyant. Those wanting to own a prestige car were looking at the most cost effective way to purchase, and that’s where our expertise lies.”