AN EDINBURGH-BASED car dealership is on the road to open a new facility in Dunfermline.

The Eastern Western Motor Group will open a Mercedes Benz centre at the Halbeath Motor Village on Crossgates Road later this year.

As well as an after-sales centre – for repairs and services – the new base will include a showroom selling an extensive range of approved used cars.

The firms's marketing area director, Graham Affleck, said the premises would provide an additional location for their Fife customers.

"It is the first time there has been an official Mercedes Benz representation in Fife for quite a number of years. The last site was in Kirkcaldy about 15 years ago and it closed so we have been keen to find somewhere that we could open," he explained.

"We have a lot of customers from Dunfermline in particular who come across to Edinburgh or Perth or Grangemouth.

"It is going to be predominantly after-sales which is services and repairs and offer a range of approved used cars from the facility.

"It is one we have wanted to do for a few years and this has been the opportunity to do it."

The branch will create "a number" of new jobs with some existing employees also due to move to the West Fife premises.

"We are in the midst of recruiting a number of positions but a few employees who live over here are keen to move across," added Graham.

"From our point of view, that means they know us and know how we operate so it works for them and hopefully we can replicate the standards of customer care that we have in Edinburgh with the new location.

"It is anticipated that it will open early quarter four so October is the sort of target date."