Vauxhall has announced its preliminary plans for the Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, with no plans for redunancies.

The plant, home of the Vauxhall Astra, will add a third production shift in 2011. it will also begin production of the Astra Sports Tourer next year.

A GM UK spokesman said: "In respect of the Vauxhall/Opel viability business plan, the consultation process with each individual manufacturing plant in Europe has now begun.

"As a first step, Ellesmere Port is advising employees of the proposals for its future. The proposed plan is to move to a three-shift production operation in 2011.

"To support the launch in 2010 of the Astra Sports Tourer and to prepare for the third shift introduction in 2011, the plan is for no redundancies as all current labour would need to be utilised to staff the third shift."