The industrial unrest which has threatened production at Nissan in Sunderland and Peugeot's Ryton plant may have moved to Honda.

The carmaker faces demands for hefty pay rises and changes to working practices after being forced into talks with unions for the first time since it began making vehicles in Britain 17 years ago, according to a report in today's Times.

The carmaker has recently scrapped a no-strike deal following recognition of the Amicus at the Swindon car plant.

Amicus intends to demand a substantial pay rise for Honda workers, partly to bring them into line with other carworkers and partly as a campaigning tool to demonstrate what unions can gain for employees.

The move comes as the union mounts a recruitment campaign at Nissan's Sunderland plant and pushes for more more rights at the site.