UK sales of the Cowley-built Mini fell by more than nine per cent last month, latest figures have revealed.

Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 8,451 cars were sold in March, compared to 9,319 in the same month last year.

Over the year to date, 11,306 cars have been sold, compared to to 12,106 in the first quarter of 2011, a drop of 6.6 per cent.

Mini spokesman Sarah Heaney said: “2011 was an exceptionally strong sales year but we are on target this year and still have a very strong order book. We are where we want to be.”

Nationally, new car volumes rose by 1.8 per cent in March to 372,835.