UK car sales in 2018 saw the biggest annual fall since the financial crisis, according to industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

SMMT said 2.36 million new cars were registered in 2018 - down 6.8 per cent on the previous year and the biggest fall since 2008, as reported by the BBC.

Diesel sales slumped by 30 per cent, due to worries over possible tougher restrictions.

The SMMT said last year's fall in sales - the second consecutive year the market has declined - was largely down to uncertainty over Brexit and a shortage in supply of some vehicles, due to a new emissions testing scheme.

But the SMMT said the biggest challenge for the industry could lie ahead. It said a no-deal Brexit would be disastrous for the industry, because manufacturers need parts to be where they are needed, exactly when they are needed. New border controls could make those operations almost impossible.

Small cars remained the biggest sellers in 2018, with Ford Fiesta topping the list at 96,000, followed by VW Golf with sales of almost 65,000.

Punchline said: "This fall in car sales is a real worry for Gloucestershire. There are many small companies in trading estates across the county which are second or third tier suppliers to the car industry. The fall in sales, combined with ongoing uncertainty over Brexit could put a number of these small businesses at risk."