Car sales in the UK increased by 26% compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The SMMT said that the UK motor industry had enjoyed a better than anticipated first quarter of the year and that 397,383 new cars were registered in March.

This rise in car sales is especially impressive considering that the government's car scrappage scheme - which gave consumers £2,000 off a new car when trading in a car that is at least ten years old - ended at the end of February.