A motor sales company is aiming to invest in sites across the county as well as in commercial property after increasing its pre-tax profits by 21%.

Bussey and Sabberton Brothers' pre-taxprofits rose to £1.7m in the year to December 31 2015, up from £1.4m for the 12 months before, with turnover increasing by £3.1m to £66.1m, according to accounts recently filed at Companies House.

The EDP/EADT Top 100 company operates franchises of car manufacturers Peugeot and Ford, with the former being associated with Bussey since 1913.

The firm has opened a Peugeot dealership at its Dereham site since the end of its financial year.

The directors stated they were pleased with the company's performance in the economic climate during 2015.

In the company's strategic report director David Bussey wrote: 'We also continue to invest in the latest corporate image and brand development and since the year end have completed a full refurbishment of the Norwich Peugeot dealership.

'We have also finalised the refurbishment of our flagship Norwich Ford dealerships which now meets the prestigious classification of a Ford Store which gives us the opportunity to sell exciting new products including the Mustang, Focus RS and the expanding range of Vignale models.'

Bussey has also moved into the commercial property market by redeveloping and renting offices to law firm Howes Percival on Bedding Lane in Norwich, the location of its former headquarters.

The company, which averaged 231 employees for the year, has a long history in Norfolk with its founders having been green grocers and tea merchants before Charles 'Reg' Bussey saw an opportunity with the newly created Model T Ford.

It has since become one of the largest Ford dealerships in the county.

During 2015 the firm distributed £138,191 in dividends.

How has your business performed this year? Write to doug.faulkner@archant.co.uk