HONDA'S millionth Swindon-built car a silver CR-V rolled off the South Marston production line amid celebrations yesterday.

Among those who witnessed the achievement was Minoru Harada, president of Honda Motor Europe.

According to Mr Harada, more than 10 per cent of cars built in Britain wear the Honda badge.

He said: "I am proud to say that the cars built at Swindon are recognised as the best in their class wherever they are sold and their quality is a match for that of our other models built anywhere in the world."

Honda's current investment at Swindon stands at £1.15 billion, a sum which accounts for two thirds of the company's total investment in Europe.

With its 4,300-strong workforce, the Swindon plant is best known for producing the Civic range of cars, and while the CR-V is a relative newcomer, two generations of Accord have also been built at the site.

Mr Harada, who was joined by Akira Takano, managing director of Honda UK, and DTI Minister Nigel Griffiths, concluded by thanking Honda UK for its "tremendous efforts".

Last year was the plant's biggest for growth since car production began at the plant in 1992.