Sales of the Cowley-built Mini took another leap forward last month.

January figures show 15,432 cars were sold worldwide compares to 13,618 for the same month last year - a rise of 13.3 per cent.

The top seller continues to be the Cooper, accounting for 27 per cent of sales, followed by the Cooper S (23 per cent) and the Mini One (14 per cent).

The new Clubman estate version which covers all model variants has claimed 16 per cent of sales.