Keen salesmen at a new £12 million car supermarket in Stafford managed to sell two cars before the doors officially opened to the public.

They sealed the deals at the Arnold Clark Motorstore on Thursday as staff were busy preparing for yesterday’s opening.

The flagship store at Prime Point 14, near junction 14 of the M6, is the biggest Arnold Clark Motorstore in Britain.

Manager Nick Clay said customers were keen to see what the new “one-stop shop” for motorists had to offer.

He said: “The response to the Motorstore has been incredible. We sold two cars on Thursday before we even opened the doors.

“We are delighted with the interest from the public and look forward to welcoming even more customers into the store this weekend.”

Work on the 10-acre site started about a year ago. The development employs more than 200 people and stocks 1,000 vehicles.

The 74,000 sq ft building houses 200 cars in the showroom, with a further 800 nearly new and used cars on site.

Arnold Clark bosses will join other VIPs for a champagne reception to celebrate the opening of the store on November 13.

The site includes a 13-bay service department, two MOT ramps, a brake tester bay, a car and van rental department, a valet service and an extensive parts department.

There is also a cafe, a soft play area for children and an area for teenagers featuring computer consoles and wide-screen TVs.