REDDITCH car-dealership Johnsons has bought a major VW garage in the heart of Birmingham.

Johnsons, based in Prospect Hill, already runs 12 other dealerships across the UK selling Volvo, Toyota, Honda and Lexus cars and turning over more than £100 million a year.

With its latest acquisition, it now employs more than 400 staff.

The VW business in Digbeth was bought from Hartwells, along with the neighbouring Audi garage which was immediately sold on to an approved Audi dealer.

It is the company's first VW dealership, which will re-locate next year to a new £5 million 30,000 sq ft premises.

Johnsons expects to sell 2,500 new and used VW cars per year at the new site.

Operations director for Johnsons, Mike Berwick, said: "This move provides us with the start of a new division, which we will look to develop and expand as we have done with other car brands over recent years.

"There has been a long-term plan for Johnsons to acquire a Volkswagen dealership, so it has been a case of waiting for the right opportunity in the right location.

"Adding this arm to the business and moving to the new development is a great step forward for the company."