A COUNCILLOR says he is 'absolutely delighted' that Ellesmere Port's Vauxhall Plant will build the next generation of Astra.

Cllr Kenny Spain (Labour, Westminster), a worker at the North Road plant for 33 years, admitted he was relieved to hear the town had secured the contract following last Tuesday's announcement.

He said: 'It's excellent news for Ellesmere Port and it keeps the plant going for some years to come.

'Had Vauxhall not won the contract it would have meant financial disaster for the town.

'It's not only the 2,000-plus workforce that would have been affected either. You can put thousands on top of that for the people who supply the factory.

'The announcement came as a surprise but it's a big relief and I'm absolutely delighted.'

Five General Motors plants across Europe were capable of building the seventh-generation of Astra.

Ellesmere Port, along with Germany, Sweden and Poland were victorious with Belgium losing out.