The Sunderland plant opened in 1986

Representatives of the Amicus trade union, met with Nissan's UK managing director on Tuesday.

It followed remarks by Nissan president Carlos Ghosn, which threw doubts over the future of the 4,900-worker plant if the UK did not adopt the euro.

But Amicus officials said they have been told production will not be switched from the factory to Europe.

In 2003 Mr Ghosn hinted that a replacement Almera model would not be built in the North East, unless Britain joined the Euro.

Switch production

Speaking on Mr Ghosn's behalf, Colin Dodge, the company's UK's managing director, denied the Sunderland plant was at risk because of the UK's failure to join the euro.

He said that Mr Ghosn's comments were intended only to "reflect his support for the UK joining the euro".

But Mr Dodge stressed that, while the UK remains outside of the euro, the plant remains at a disadvantage compared with other European Nissan plants.

But unions were assured that there were no plans to switch production as a consequence.

Duncan Simpson, Amicus national secretary, said: "We are encouraged by reassurances given by the MD of Nissan UK.

"We understand the company's support for UK euro entry, but we will continue to monitor the situation to secure our member's long term interests at the plant."

The Wearside plant, which opened almost 19 years ago builds the Primera, Micra and Almera models.

It is Nissan's most efficient European plant.