The Belfast-based Charles Hurst Group, Northern Ireland's biggest car dealership, has announced a major expansion following the £3.3 million takeover of the Neville Johnston Toyota and Daihatsu franchises.

The group, owned by the Manchester-based Lookers plc, has a total of 18 franchised outlets.

It also has plans to open a new premises in Craigavon later this year, and will be expanding its Jaguar franchise to cover the whole of Northern Ireland following the decision by Wesley Turkington of Lurgan to relinquish the franchise for the west of the region. The takeover of Neville Johnston Garages will add another 40 employees to the group's payroll, bringing the total workforce to more than 600 people.