Jaguar Land Rover is sourcing more of its parts from the UK than it was during the motor industry heyday.

Some 50 per cent of the firm's car components are sourced from the UK supply chain and around half of them originate in the West Midlands, the Birmingham Post reports. This represents a high not seen since before the UK automotive industry declined in the 1980s.

As a result of the car company's success - annual worldwide sales now exceed 400,000 - many international firms have invested in UK manufacturing facilities, said Jaguar Land Rover's director of purchasing Ian Hartnett.

Mr Hartnett cited a new production line being built in Bradford by US firm Borg Warner to make turbochargers for Jaguar Land Rover's new engines as an example.

However, he also said more needs to be done to improve access to finance and attract overseas investment to the UK.

"We need a strong UK plc to attract quality global component suppliers to the UK," Mr Hartnett added.