A campaign by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle to Keep the Micra in Britain, has been backed by hundreds of its readers.

Bosses of Nissan’s global operation are set to decide in the next two weeks whether to build the new Micra in the North East or in France.

The car manufacturer employs 5,000 people in the North East and if the firm decides not to build the new model in the region, more than 1,200 workers at the plant could lose their jobs.

The paper’s leader column made a plea to Nissan: “We know we build the best cars in Europe.

“The Government knows we do and so should Nissan.

“For 16 years our workers have performed outstandingly to make the Sunderland plant the success it is today.

“That its future is in doubt is not the fault of the 5,000 men and women who work there, but they will be the casualties if Nissan moves production of the Micra to France.

“Let us make no bones about this, If we lose out the consequences will be devastating.

“Our message to them, on behalf of the workforce and the region is: We have never let you down. We have and would willingly continue to give of our best. Please let us build the Micra.”

Readers of the Chronicle have pledged their support for the campaign with calls, faxes and emails.

The paper has vowed to continue hammering out the message that the Micra is vital to the region.

A Nissan UK spokesman said: “We want the Micra deal to retain our premier league status. If it goes elsewhere the North East will become a first divisional site.”

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