Car valeters in Wolverhampton are being given the chance to buff up their CVs, thanks to a major used car dealership in Willenhall.

ACF Car Finance has created a special training programme for valeters, and says it believes they deserve a higher status in the motor industry.

They will have the opportunity to shine by completing a formal skills training course in order to become accredited as an ACF Car Finance "car cosmetician".

The Wolverhampton dealership is one of the largest branches in a national network of used car retailers which buys and sells thousands of vehicles each year.

According to Leyton Cooper, divisional group buying manager at ACF Car Finance, car valeting is seen by the company as a vitally important part of its business strategy:

"We prepare our cars in to motorshow standards which can take many hours for each vehicle, and is the reason why we employ full-time valeters," said Leyton.

"They are provided with state of the art equipment, and the best possible cleaning and cosmetic products - but it's ultimately their skills which deliver the perfect result.

"That's why ACF Car Finance has decided to formalise its valet training, and linked with an external skills provider who will also set a final examination of competence.

"Many of our managers started their careers with us in manual roles, and there's no reason why our valeters shouldn't also finish up in the driving seat," added Leyton, himself a former mechanic.

The company specialises in supplying used cars to the growing number of people whose credit records affect their borrowing ability.