The final car was today leaving the production line at Ford's biggest UK factory, signalling the end of an era - and the loss of 1,100 jobs.

The last three Ford Fiestas built at the giant Dagenham plant in Essex are to be given to charity, including one which has been autographed by hundreds of workers.

Around 850 employees have opted for early retirement or voluntary redundancy packages worth up to £50,000, while 400 have been redeployed.

Ford is creating 500 new jobs through an expansion of engine production at Dagenham, which will employ 5,000 workers after car-building ends.

Union leaders said the mood among the workforce in the last few days has been "sombre" as the ending of car production neared.

Tony Woodley, national officer of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "The closure of the plant is as unjustified today as it was when it was made.

"If manufacturing matters to this country, which I believe it does, then the Government has to put pressure on companies so it is not so easy for them to walk away from this country."

Ford, the world's second biggest carmaker, set up a £7.5 million social fund almost two years ago when it announced the ending of Dagenham car production, to help retrain workers.

Former Ford workers have trained to become teachers, driving instructors, bodyguards, sports centre managers, joiners and lorry drivers.

The 473-acre site at Dagenham is to become home to Ford's global centre of excellence for diesel engine design and manufacture.

Some of Ford's most famous models have been built at Dagenham, including the Prefect, Popular, Consul, Cortina and Sierra.

The first vehicle to be built was a model A truck on October 1, 1931.