The European Comission has approved £8.7million of Government aid to Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory for staff training.

The finance was appraised by Brussles under European Union state aid rules.

Neelie Kroes, EU Competition Commissioner, said: "Our investigation has shown that the aid will add real value to Vauxhall's ambitious training programme."

Vauxhall's plant in Ellesmere Port employs about 2,200 staff. Vauxhall has developed a comprehensive staff training programme for between 2007-2012.