Manheim has taken on the Bruntingthorpe auction centre, which has a capacity for 20,000 vehicles.

Its first sale at the former airfield will be held in January.

The facilities at Bruntingthorpe include storage and a mechanical and bodywork repair centre for fleets, rental companies and manufacturers.

“We are already in advanced discussions with several major fleet and manufacturer vendors who are keen to take advantage of the obvious attractions to both buyers and vendors of the location and facilities available from Bruntingthorpe,” said Mike Pilkington, managing director, Manheim Auctions & Remarketing.

“We will soon be formalising the auction programme and look forward to welcoming our customers to review the new facility in January.

"I believe that this new Midlands super-centre will be of particular interest to buyers and will enable us to set new standards in vehicle remarketing”.

Wilsons Auctions, which has been operating from the Bruntingthorpe site since March 2009, said it will announce within days where its new centre will be sited.