Workers at Peugeot's Ryton plant are being pressured to vote for a pay cut by their union, Amicus, in order to save hundreds of jobs.

They have been given the choice of working fewer hours for less money or to accept the axing of the nightshift at the Coventry plant in response to the slump in European car sales.

Duncan Simpson, national officer for the automotive section of Amicus, said: “We are seriously concerned about the severe hardship any loss of hours would cause our members, but the alternative would be the cessation of D shift and the loss of 700 jobs.”

If workers vote for reduced working hours they would lose about £8 per week. The plant operates on a four shift system.