MANHEIM Auctions Northampton posted a record sale of 260 vehicles for its first evening event of the new year and believes the economic slump towards the end of last year is lifting.

Centre manager Tony Lambert said: 'I hope that having such a successful sale so early in the year is a sign of a positive upturn.'

Many of the sales were on behalf of Camden Motors, and its Carshop subsidiary in Northampton. More than 500 people attended the auction.