UNION members at Swindon's Honda car plant are celebrating a £45 million Government boost to the British motor industry.

The Department of Trade and Industry is to press ahead with the establishment of a so-called Automotive Academy.

Its industry-wide role will be to take the lead in improving development and production processes.

Honda welcomed the news, while stressing that it already handles such tasks on an in-house basis.

However, Amicus-AEEU, the trade union representing many of the 4,300 workers at the South Marston plant, was jubilant.

Amicus-AEEU general secretary, Sir Ken Jackson, was part of the task force that worked with DTI officials to draft the recommendation for an academy.

He said: "This gives the motor industry a real opportunity for the future.

"Other governments have always supported the future development of their car industries, and this will put UK companies on a level playing field.

"This extra investment could make a real difference to the long-term future of Honda and the car industry in Swindon."

The task force was called the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team.

Its other recommendations included establishing centres of excellence in fields such as emissions and the computerisation of vehicles and increasing funding for measures to help producers and suppliers of components to work together more efficiently.

Chris Rogers, Honda Motor Europe's head of corporate affairs, said: "We welcome any Government initiative to help improve manufacturing."