New car registrations in Scotland jumped 9.3% in August to 6,965 units, according to figures released by the Scottish Motor Trade Association.

Douglas Robertson, SMTA chief executive, said: "The healthy increase in what is normally a traditionally low-volume month is very encouraging. This is perhaps a sign that consumers are spreading their purchasing over the year, rather than waiting on the new plate. The attraction of the new plate is perhaps not what it used to be."