NEW car sales in Scotland have risen for the first time in five months after dealers slashed prices to boost trade.

A total of 4902 new cars were driven off garage forecourts last month - up 1.3% on 4837 sales a year ago, according to figures from the Scottish Motor Trade Association.

The Scottish figure is particularly healthy because sales across the rest of the UK fell 3.5%.

The geographical breakdown of the figures shows wide variations, with dealers in central Scotland performing best, with an 80% sales surge during February.

But sales in Strathclyde - by far the biggest area - fell 3.3% to 2362 vehicles.

Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the trade association, said: "February is well known as a slow month for new car registrations as dealers prepare for the surge of the new 07 plate in March."

The Vauxhall Corsa retained pole position as the best selling car in Scotland with 441 sales, followed by the Ford Focus on 280 and the Vauxhall Astra on 276.

Vauxhalls account for 15.64% of the market or around one in six of all new cars sold. Ford was second with 14.26% of sales and Renault third on 7.09%.