The world famous Renault Centre in West Swindon was due to close today, with the loss of 100 jobs.

Designed by master architect Sir Norman Foster, the vast distribution centre opened to a huge fanfare in 1983, and went on to win a number of international awards.

But when, in 1999, Renault bought a £2.5 billion stake in Japanese car manufacturer Nissan, the French company decided it would close the Swindon operation and move its activities to the Nissan distribution centre in the Midlands within two years.

This resulted in the loss of 300 jobs. With the gradual wind-down of the Swindon operation, only administrative, warehouse, customer and technical staff have remained until now.

The building is now in the possession of London-based Green Properties who are looking to lease it out.

In its day the Renault Centre was arguably the most famous building in Swindon, featuring on guided tours of the town for tourists from all parts of the globe.

The building also featured in the James Bond movie A View to a Kill, starring Roger Moore, in 1984, a year after it opened.