A family mechanics has taken on new premises as it looks to expand its offer to customers.

GW Auto Repairs is now operating out of a new unit in Durranhill, in Carlisle, as well as its original home at Long Island Park.

GW Auto Repairs was originally started by Garry Wood in 1995, who ran it alongside wife Diane.

Joanne Wood and husband Mike took over the business from Garry, who is Mike’s father, three years ago.

Mike is a director of the business, which employs nine people, as well as working as a mechanic in the workshop.

Joanne, who is a director of the business and receptionist, said the expansion meant the company was able to take on more business and deal with every type of vehicle from a motorbike to a minibus.

The new unit is the site of the former Howats Garage on the Durranhill Industrial Estate, which they bought from former owner John Howat as he was retiring.

The company has always offered MOTs, services and maintenance for cars and motorbikes, but Joanne said the pit at the new unit would allow it to expand its offer.

Joanne said it will now be able to carry out MOTs on larger class seven commercial vehicles, as well as motorbikes and fleet work for businesses.

“We are going to start doing class five MOTs as well, which is minibus type vehicles,” she said.

"My husband has just passed the class five test.

“The pit makes all the difference to us because we can go down under all the much larger vehicles like campervans and not necessarily have to put them up in the air.

“There are not many class seven test centres and not many motorbike centres. Most garages do cars because it's the most popular thing.

"We've got the knowledge to be able to do motorbikes as well. It means can do pretty much everything now."

She and Mike were very happy to be able to continue the business that Garry and Diane had started, she said.

"We are so proud of what we have achieved with our expansion. It's really busy and going very well."