VAUXHALL has confirmed that its Ellesmere Port plant will not restart production until after September 1.

The carmaker has also announced that some workers at the North Road factory will be temporarily redeployed to the Luton site on a voluntary basis due to "significant demand" for light commercial vehicle production.

It says the move will protect jobs at the Ellesmere Port site, which employs more than 1,000 people.

The company revealed this afternoon that the 'commercial situation of Vauxhall and Opel Astra requires the restarting of Ellesmere Port operations after September 1'.

The plant temporarily closed back in March due to the coronavirus outbreak with workers placed on furlough.

A statement from Vauxhall's parent company Groupe PSA said: "Since the start of the Covid-19 health crisis, Groupe PSA's priority has been to protect the health of its employees and ensure the sustainability of the company.

"Manufacturing activity at Groupe PSA’s Luton site commenced on 18th May after the deployment of a protocol of reinforced health measures.

"The success of the Vauxhall and Opel Vivaro, Peugeot Expert and Citroën Dispatch produced there now requires a third shift to increase output at the site.

"Representatives of Vauxhall Motors met with Trade Union representatives of the Vauxhall National Joint Negotiating Committee today in order to set out plans to redeploy labour from Ellesmere Port to Luton Plant on a voluntary basis for a temporary period.

"The Company proposal will protect employment and support the ability to respond to significant demand for LCV production with highly trained and skilled workers for the Ellesmere Port site, while demand for Astra is building sufficiently."