Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini rose by more than 19 per cent in February, according to latest figures from parent firm BMW.

A total of 16,045 cars were delivered to customers worldwide, compared to 13,444 for the same month last year.

And sales for the first two months of 2011 show a year on year increase of 17.6 per cent with a total of 30,170 cars delivered.