Honda has agreed to work with the union

Mike McEnaney, manager of the Swindon plant said: "We already have very good relations and communications channels with our employees and this has been a major contributor to Honda's success at Swindon.

"We can develop a positive and constructive working relationship with the AEEU to help us improve further our business."

Garel Rhys, a car industry specialist at Cardiff University, said: "In some ways it is important that they deal with one union, otherwise half a dozen might try to recruit at the plant."

Billions invested

Turnout among the 4,000 workers was 77%, with 72% of votes cast in favour of recognition.

Sir Ken Jackson visited the Honda plant in person last week to try and gain support for his union.

The Swindon plant, which produces the Honda Civic and other models, has a capacity of 250,000 vehicles a year.

The company created 1,000 new jobs when it opened a second, �130m car plant at Swindon on 10 September 2001.

It has just started producing the CRV sports utility vehicle at the plant, mainly for export to the US.

Honda has invested a total of �1.15 billion in Swindon since the plant opened in 1985.

Honda, along with Nissan and Toyota, the two other large Japanese-owned car makers in the UK, have invested a total of �5.5bn in their operations.