Car giant Vauxhall is to build its new Astra in Britain, safeguarding 3,000 jobs.

The company will invest £80 million at its factory in Ellesmere Port, where it will be built alongside the Vectra.

The first new Astra models will come off the production line next year and the factory will produce 190,000 cars annually.

The company said the announcement proved the benefits of operating Ellesmere Port as a so-called "flex" plant where different models were built on the same production line.

Vauxhall, which stopped making cars at its giant site in Luton last year, said the euro was not a over-riding factor in deciding to build the new Astra in Britain.

A spokesman said: "The euro is one of a number of factors when deciding inward investment. Among the other issues are efficiency, productivity and economic stability."

Vauxhall also unveiled the VX Lightning, the first British-designed concept car by the company in 25 years.

Kevin Wale, chairman and managing director, said: "The car represents a return to our early performance roots when Vauxhall was famous as the manufacturer of the first true British sports car, while we continue to be both innovative and bold in exterior and interior design."

Tuesday May 13 2003