TRANSPORT Minister Stephen Hammond has today launched a new £7 million vehicle handling terminal at Southampton Docks.

The senior Tory politician joined civic leaders at the city's Eastern Docks to officially open the Orient Vehicle Terminal.

The giant four-storey steel framed building is the docks' fifth vehicle handling terminal - doubling the capacity there by creating three-extra acres of storage space.

It is crammed with rows of Minis, Landrovers and other British cars ready for inspection and storage before being shipped overseas, including the rapidly growing markets in China and the Far East.

Mr Hammond, who unveiled a ceremonial plaque, said the new investment showed the growing economic might of both the city and “UK plc” and added: “Southampton is proving a versatile and vital port well equipped for the future to facilitate and promote economic growth across the country and locally.”

He also viewed the progress of the flagship £150million scheme to expand the ports container terminal as part of a £500m quay to accommodate the world's largest container ships.