UK SALES at luxury car-maker Bentley rose by more than 20 per cent last month.

Latest statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the Crewe-based firm sold 65 cars in the UK in November, up 20.4 per cent from 54 during the same month in 2010.

So far this year Bentley has sold 986 cars in the UK, up 4.3 per cent from 945 during the same period in 2010.

A spokesman said: "Bentley continues to do well, with global sales up around 30 per cent in November, continuing the annual trend which is seeing total sales increase by around one-third in 2011.

"Chinese growth is relentless as we surpassed 1,500 cars in the region for the first time.

"However, established markets such as America and Europe are also increasing, reflecting strong demand for the Mulsanne and, in particular, the new Continental GT. The UK was up despite the on-going economic uncertainty but with the new Continental GTC reaching dealers from December, the prospects for the New Year are promising."

Bentley employs just under 4,000 people at its Pyms Lane headquarters. The Sentinel reported last week that workers there had rejected a two-year pay offer equivalent to a four per cent pay rise from next year and three per cent in 2013.

Total UK car sales dropped by 4.2 per cent in November to 134,027 units – 5,000 above the SMMT's forecast. So far this year registrations are down 4.5 per cent, at 1,822,065 units.

The SMMT said the market looked set to better its full-year forecast of 1.923 million, but added that "caution remains" for 2012.