Former head of Ford European operations Martin Leach and Ed Sabisky, a former finance director for Vauxhall UK, are understood to be leading a bid to revive MG Rover’s Longbridge plant.

According to The Scotsman daily newspaper the pair of ex motor executives have received the backing of the T&G Union.

The plans - which would require a substantial investment by former Rover partner SAIC - involves establishing Longbridge as a base for research and engineering and, later, production.

A source said Leach and Sabisky were being taken "extremely seriously".