RESULTS already being achieved at the Charles Hurst car dealing business in Northern Ireland are better than expected the group was acquired for £25 million in February by north of England car dealers Lookers where Woodchester is a minority 26.6 per cent shareholder.

First half figures from Lookers show the Hurst business made first time contributions of £600,000 sterling operating profits earned on a £22 million turnover in the six weeks to the end of March.

Lookers chairman, Mr Ken Martindale, said the performance of Charles Hurst exceeded expectations and the results were ahead of the profits for the same period last year. The Hurst performance mainly reflects buoyant sales achieved in the firm Irish car market.