A stark warning has been issued over what could happen to the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port if Britain leaves the EU .

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson says the factory will close if next week's referendum vote goes the way of Brexit campaigners.

'Remain' campaigner Mr Anderson fears production would be shifted to Spain or Germany, meaning nearly 1,700 jobs in Ellesmere Port would be at risk.

EU Referendum

The polls open in

He said it was 'unrealistic' to think that General Motors, which owns Vauxhall, would maintain a factory in the town if a Brexit vote led to new tariffs on British exports to Europe.

General Motors today refused to rule out potential closure, stating that Vauxhall was part of a 'fully integrated European company' which benefited from the EU.

Related story:EU Referendum: six arguments for and against Brexit

The factory has produced seven generations of Astras, with around 1,670 workers making around 150,000 of the vehicles each year.

poll loading

How will you be voting?

Mayor Anderson told our sister paper the Liverpool ECHO: “General Motors have factories in Spain and Germany, the idea that they are going to be willing to pay tariffs to carry on making cars in Ellesmere Port and keep the workforce here is unrealistic.

“They will simply close the factory and move production to Spain or Germany.

“Investment comes to our city region because businesses knows we have access to the single market.”

Related story:PM praises Ellesmere Port plant as a UK 'success story'

General Motors said leaving the EU was 'undesirable'.

A spokesman said: “Vauxhall is part of the British and European automotive industry and there is no doubt that leadership and employees will follow closely the debate on the European referendum.

“The importance of the UK market for Vauxhall, Opel Group and GM becomes clear by the numbers. It is the fourth largest global market for GM and the biggest in Europe.

“Vauxhall is part of a fully integrated European company, benefiting from the free movement of goods and people within the world’s largest trading bloc, the EU. For the UK not to be part of the EU would be undesirable for our business and the sector as a whole.”

What do you think about this story? Leave your views in the comments section below.