MOTOR dealership chain Mill Garages is expanding into Yorkshire after winning two Volvo franchises in Leeds and Harrogate.

The group, which already operates six Volvo dealerships across Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside, is investing £3m in dealerships on St James' Retail Park in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and in Armley Road, Leeds, creating 60 jobs.

The investment is being used to build a dealership on the Harrogate site, which is due to be completed by mid-summer.

The new facility is being built alongside an existing Jaguar dealership, and will form part of the first joint Volvo-Jaguar dealerships in the UK.

Mill Garages divisional director Bill Ward, said: "Our investment in Yorkshire represents a major step forward for our organisation.

"Mill Volvo has proved tremendously popular across the North-East, and the award of two new franchises is recognition of the company's achievements and successful business model."

While the new premises are being built, a temporary Volvo caravan has been set up on the site to provide full dealership sales and servicing facilities to local motorists.

Mr Ward said: "Work is starting on the Harrogate premises, and they will include every facility that you would expect in a modern motor dealership.

"Mill Garages has a strong reputation for high standards of customer service across the North-East, and we are certain that introducing this ethic to the Yorkshire region will be beneficial to the region's motorists."