The automotive sector received a boost this week with news that new car registrations were up 2.4 per cent year on year during August.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that the market for new cars in the UK remains healthy.

There were 89,338 new units sold last month, the best year since the number plate change in 1999.

Projections for the year remain slightly down on 2002, with SMMT figures predicting total sales of 2.52 million against last year's 2.56 million.

'With a change to the '53 number plate on September 1st we might have expected a dip in August registrations but once again the car market has climbed,' said SMMT chief executive, Christopher McGowan.

'Growth of over two per cent in a traditionally low volume month is good news for the industry,' he said.