NINE of DC Cook's 16 sites have been closed by the company's receiver, resulting in the loss of 280 jobs. Stock from the sites will be shared where possible among other DC Cook dealerships, which are trading normally.

Nigel Ruddock, partner at receiver Grant Thornton, said: 'Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Nissan and Rover have been supportive but other manufacturers have used this opportunity to re-address the shape of their franchise networks and ceased to supply the business.' He added that site sales would follow. DC Cook went into receivership in January, blaming last year's collapse in residual values.