UNION activists picketed an Ellesmere Port Peugeot dealership in protest over the French company's plans to axe a car plant in Coventry.

Around a dozen demonstrators gathered outside Brazier Brothers in Dock Street between 10am and midday on Saturday to en-courage people not to buy cars from the franchise.

The protest was also intended to send out a strong message to Vaux-hall Motors which recently axed 900 jobs at the North Road plant in Ellesmere Port.

However, general manager of Brazier Brothers, David Ramsay, was highly critical of the protestors and said the action led to a 'very frustrating morning' of trade.

Amicus and the Transport & General Workers Union also organised pickets outside selected UK Peugeot and Citroën dealerships across the region in protest over the closure of the company's Ryton plant with the loss of 2,300 jobs.

Amicus regional secretary Kevin Coyne said: 'This is a wake-up call for the company. They are jeopardising their sales and their reputation by pushing ahead with their plans to close Ryton.

'We believe that consumers will want to punish them for their decision to close their profitable and productive UK site and consign 2,300 workers to the dole.

'Peugeot depend on UK sales so they have to show a commitment to UK workers.

'This action is also aimed at sending a strong signal to car manufacturers like Vauxhall that if they expect to sell cars in the UK then they should support UK jobs otherwise they too may face similar action.'

Mr Ramsay said: 'The demonstration did affect us and it was a very frustrating morning although we don't yet know to what extent.

'I don't know what they were trying to achieve but it was against the law and they were moved on.'