AUDI dealer Colebrook & Burgess produced a strong performance in 2010 with sales rising by 11% to £125m and pre-tax profits more than doubling to £1.6m.

The North East company with four dealerships in the region says 2011 has started well with sales in the first quarter up by 10%.

This was described as an encouraging performance by managing director Andrew Maidwell as new car sales in the UK over the same period fell by 7%.

However Maidwell sounded a note of caution over prospects for the rest of the year with the UK’s overall economic position looking fragile.

Maidwell says Colebrook’s success is down to the strength of the Audi brand and the hard work of his staff.

“It was a very positive year for the Audi brand which continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“It’s a far cry from the dark days of 2008 and 2009. We have been able to improve our overall performance without adding excessive, additional costs.

“Our performance in 2010 is a real credit to our staff.”