Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 06 November 2008

A WORKINGTON motor dealer has hit on a novel solution to problems posed by the credit crunch.

Two wheels too: Percy Clark with one of the free scooters on offer with certain cars at PLC Trade Sales, Workington

Percy Clark, of PLC Trade Sales on Joseph Noble Road, is giving away scooters with cars in an effort to encourage trade.

Mr Clark, 69, said: “The car sales business is in the doldrums. We have recognised a massive change in needs, and after a lot of consideration we have decided on giving away a free scooter with selected cars.

“We feel it is a good idea and to my knowledge I do not know if anyone else in the country has come up with an idea like this.”

He said scooters had many financial advantages, including petrol costs, road tax and insurance, all of which are much lower than with a family car.

They are also environmentally friendly, as they produce fewer emissions.

“We want to make the public more aware that if they consider getting into two wheels, they will save a lot of money and save the planet,” said Mr Clark.

“The scooters do more than 120 miles to the gallon, reduce congestion, and are also quite fun to ride.

“You might have your average motorist who lives in Greysouthen and works in Workington, and it might cost £30 in petrol and £20 in car parking every week – why not just use a scooter?”

Although Mr Clark only sells used cars, the 10 Pulse Scout scooters that he has in stock are new.

They have 49cc engines and can achieve a top speed of 32mph.

If the offer is successful, he is open to the idea of giving away more scooters in the future, and also hopes that the idea might be taken up by other car dealers.

He added: “We would like to continue this. We will offer it on as many cars as we can, be it large or small.

“Imagine if the leading garages in the country were to do this.

“If 1,000 people left their cars at home and went to work on a scooter, it would make a vast difference.”