WIRRAL Councillors have unanimously backed a notice of motion to fight Vauxhall’s plan to cut around 400 jobs at its Ellesmere Port factory.

On Sunday the firm announced that the jobs go would go as part of a "voluntary separation programme" by the end of this year.

Vauxhall, which has made the Astra at the Cheshire plant since 1979, said "challenging European market conditions and a declining passenger car market" were behind the job losses.

But during a meeting of the full council on Monday night, leader Phil Davies tabled an emergency notice of motion in which he pledged to do all he could to protect jobs at the plant.

It read: "The council will take all appropriate action to ensure that we play our part to make sure those jobs are protected at the plant in Ellesmere Port."

Addressing councillors, Cllr Davies added: "These jobs are absolutely essential. I am very concerned about the news yesterday.

"We need to ensure the plant is viable."

His words were echoed by Conservative group leader Ian Lewis, who paid tribute to the contribution made by Vauxhall employees: "Last year, 1.3million cars were produced in the UK aided, in no small way, by those at Ellesmere Port.

"We have no hesitation in supporting this notice of motion. We demand urgent action."

Eastham Liberal Democrat councillor Dave Mitchell added: "As an ex-employee of this company, I know how it works, and a lot of my neighbours work at this plant.

"They see this as the thin edge of the wedge, given the reports of a slowdown in sales, as this is one of the most efficient plants in the Vauxhall group, they are surprised at the comments.

"Sales are low due to the impasse over Brexit, and this also adds to the worry going forward. 

"As some have said it would devastating for our area, as lots of my residents work at the plant or the companies that supply them.

Just under 1,800 people currently work at the Ellesmere Port site, which produces around 680 Astras every day, and the workforce was briefed on the plan on Monday morning.

It is understood the plans follow falling demand for five-door family cars – such as the Astra – while the market for SUVs grows.

In a statement, Vauxhall said: "Facing challenging European market conditions and a declining passenger car market, Vauxhall needs to adjust production volumes at its Ellesmere Port production facility to the current level of demand and to improve its performance, in order to protect its future.

"Current manufacturing costs at Ellesmere Port are significantly higher than those of the benchmark plants of the PSA Group in France.

"The teams are conscious of the need to accelerate the recovery of plant productivity in order to meet the challenges ahead, while continuously improving the already high level of quality achieved today.

"As an important element of this recovery, Vauxhall tabled a plan with Unite that encompasses a move towards single shift operation at Ellesmere Port during 2018 and a voluntary separation programme for eligible employees amounting to approximately 400 heads by the end of 2017.

"The company committed to consult with employee representatives in order to look for potential opportunities to minimise the impact of these proposed headcount reductions.

"This consultation will take place over a 45-day period in line with legal requirements.”

The four millionth Vauxhall Astra rolled off the production line at the Ellesmere Port factory in September.

The Astra is the sixth most popular new car for UK motorists this year, with more than 34,000 registered between January and July.

In July, the European Commission waived through a £1.9 billion deal for French car giant PSA Group to buy Vauxhall owner Opel.

PSA, which owns Peugeot and Citroen, agreed to buy the loss-making European arm of General Motors (GM) in March.

The move aimed to secure GM’s exit from the UK and Europe while transforming PSA into Europe’s second-largest car maker.

However, the takeover sparked concern in the UK about the impact on thousands of jobs at Vauxhall plants and supply companies.