Car manufacturer Vauxhall has offered its workforce a sabbatical on 30 per cent pay.

General Motors, the owner of Vauxhall, put the scheme to unions at its manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, on Thursday.

The plan would give staff the option to take a two- to nine-month break from work on 30 per cent of their basic salary.

A Vauxhall spokesman said the number of staff who choose to take up the option will not be known until the New Year. However, the manufacturer is "not expecting a huge response".

The spokesman said: "It's an economic downturn with a finite lifespan and when it improves we will need all our staff again.

"We are cutting costs next year, but absolutely not by cutting staff jobs."

Vauxhall employs more than 5,000 workers in its large operations at Ellesmere Port and Luton.

Workers have been given up to a month off over Christmas with some not expected back until January 12.

New car sales have dropped dramatically as a result of the economic downturn, with registrations down 37 per cent over the first 11 months compared with last year.

ITV News