Voluntary job losses at car plant

The Sunderland plant opened in 1986

Hundreds of workers at a recession-hit car plant on Wearside are to accept voluntary redundancy.

Nissan in Sunderland said 400 temporary workers had lost their jobs and another 800 workers had accepted "attractive" redundancy packages.

A spokesman for the union Unite said it was pleased that no workers were facing compulsory redundancy.

The firm said in January it planned to axe 1,200 jobs on Wearside - about a quarter of the total workforce.

This was to offset a drop in sales of more than 25%.

'Volatile market'

Trevor Mann, senior vice-president for manufacturing, Europe, said: "The joint consultation committee has worked hard to complete the programme without the need for compulsory redundancy.

"Although regrettable, we have had to take this action. I believe we have managed the situation in the best way possible.

"We will continue to closely monitor what remains a highly volatile market and remain ready to take further action if needed to protect the company during unprecedented economic conditions."

The Sunderland plant opened in 1986 and employs about 4,900 workers.

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