VAUXHALL MOTORS' owner has issued a statement denying there is any threat to the Ellesmere Port plant.

GM UK has quashed fears for the site's future by stressing there are no plans for it to be axed.

The alarm went up following a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show yesterday when GM European president, Carl-Peter Forster, said if the company did not get support from the government, it will have to close down UK operations.

But today, the company statement says: “It was highlighted during an official press conference at the Geneva Motor Show that Vauxhall was a very strong and successful brand in the UK and there are no plans for it to be axed.

“Both Ellesmere Port and Luton are very lean and efficient plants and as a result Ellesmere Port remains the lead production plant for the next generation Astra, scheduled for launch in quarter three of 2009.”

It said GM Europe’s request for financial support was aimed at several European governments and was not a direct threat at the UK.

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman said: “It may be Mr Forster is setting out his stall for any future negotiations with governments although the UK government has already offered a £2.3bn package of support for the industry.

“The Vauxhall plant is widely recognised as an important site.”