FOR SOME the name Alfa Romeo conjures up images of Dustin Hoffman driving the chic little Duetto in The Graduate . . . or going back a little further, Juan Manuel Fangio winning the F1 World Championship.

For others it's a range of technologically-advanced cars with that inimitable Italian flair and a definite performance edge.

Whatever the associations, afficionadoes in south-east Hampshire will soon be able to enjoy the pleasures of Alfa Romeo a little closer to home with a new Meridien Milano dealership opening in Portsmouth.

Meridien Milano is part of the Meridien Group of dealerships throughout the south - including another Alfa Romeo dealership in Bournemouth and Maserati & Ferrari Dealership in Lyndhurst - and the latest Alfa Romeo authorised dealership to join the network.

After extensive refurbishment of a former Honda dealership at Havant Road, Drayton, close to the north approaches to the city, the new dealership's showroom doors will be opening for business on Monday January 8.

Meridien Milano dealer principal Luke Riche said "We are delighted to be opening another Alfa Romeo dealership in the south.

"We have taken on the brand at a particularly exciting and busy time with the past year's new additions the Alfa 159 Saloon, 159 Sportwagon and the Alfa Romeo Brera proving extremely popular, but also with the arrival of the new Q-tronic gearbox in Brera and 159 now available.

"That's not to mention the exciting addition to the sporty line-up joining us early next year; the eagerly awaited arrival of the Alfa Spider!"

The new Meridien Milano dealership is situated at 111 Havant Road, Drayton, and sales manager Douglas Williams looks forward to welcoming visitors to the large, well-equipped showroom with a wide range of new and approved used Alfa Romeo.

As well as the car sales side, Meridien Milano has built a new service centre to provide a full range of service and repairs, carried out by fully trained and accredited Alfa Romeo technicians. Alfa Romeo accessories and merchandise will also be available from its parts department.

Alfisti and lovers of all things Italian will soon be able to get their automotive fix a little closer to home. Call 023 9228 8388 for more details.