A CAR worker has been sacked and others are under investigation over alleged cash irregularities at Swindon's former Rover plant.

Investigators from BMW, owner of the Stratton St Margaret pressings factory, were called in after claims were made of wrongdoing in overtime shift patterns.

A shop floor worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Evening Advertiser that senior staff had been skimming cash, two foremen had been sacked and two senior managers suspended on full pay.

His claims were partially refuted by BMW bosses.

The worker said: "We have heard about the sackings and suspensions and everyone's been wondering why."

BMW is rumoured to be on the verge of selling the plant, as it did most of the rest of the former Rover empire, because of low profits. Bus panel manufacturer Mayflower is believed to be in talks to take over the factory, which employs around 2,000 workers.

BMW spokesman Werner Rothfuss refuted the claims of two sackings and two suspensions, but admitted one worker had been dismissed.

He said: "The company has received information about alleged irregularities regarding overtime shift patterns from a few individuals in Swindon some time ago. The company has started an investigation and that has led to the fact that an employee has had to be given notice.

"He has, I think, already left the company. The investigation is still ongoing, and there might be some cases still to be considered."

According to the worker who contacted the Advertiser, BMW has the backing of the shopfloor.

The man said: "In the past two years, we've been put on about seven different shifts and thousands of pounds have been lost. People have been losing their houses and now there is talk that someone has been ripping off the place.

"If that is true there is no sympathy at all for them."

It is understood that the matter has remained internal and that so far the police have not been involveed.