A SPECIALIST car dealership which has grown turnover to more than £3 million in just two years is moving to larger premises in North Yorkshire.

Thirsk-based Land Rover Defender dealership LR Motors was launched two years ago as a sister operation to Defender re-engineering specialist Twisted Automotive.

From a standing start, LR Motors has sold more than 160 Land Rover Defenders and delivered a turnover of more than £3m during the last financial year.

Operating from a showroom close to Twisted’s own workshop in Thirsk, LR Motors employs five members of staff, including three engineers, and is led by general manager, and Defender expert, Ross Munro.

As part of its plans for further expansion, LR Motors will move to larger, dedicated premises in Ripon in February.

Mr Munro, said: “As we prepare to embark on the next chapter for LR Motors, at our new showroom, it’s pleasing to be able to reflect on two hugely successful years, and celebrate the milestone with our customers.

“While we share the same passion for the Land Rover Defender, operating separately from Twisted Automotive has allowed us to tailor-make our offering to a different category of customer, and ensure that their buying experience is always a pleasurable one.

“We recognise that the Land Rover Defender is a truly unique vehicle, and with more than 50 years of expertise within our team, we are able to deliver a first-class service to our customers.”

Land Rover ceased production of the Defender in 2016, but the vehicle retains a huge following, and LR Motors is the one of the biggest stockists of the vehicle in the UK.

Its current stock, which is made up exclusively of Defenders, is worth more than £1 million.

Elsewhere in the group Twisted Automotive, which was founded by Charles Fawcett in 2001, has become the event partner for the White Rose Tourism Awards later this month.

The awards will celebrate another record-breaking year for tourism in Yorkshire – and similarly a bumper year for Twisted Automotive.

The Thirsk-based company will have vehicles on display outside the venue, showcasing the Land Rover Defender that the company transforms and improves for customers in both the UK and abroad.

Mr Fawcett said: “We believe this is a great partnership with real synergies, and an opportunity to work together on something special in the future.”