Unions representing the workers at Peugeot’s Ryton site are redoubling their efforts to boycott the French manufacturer’s models after criticism from the Government.

A group from the threatened car plant at Ryton in Coventry will be hitting the streets again today to demonstrate outside a Beechwood Motors on Kenpas Highway.

Jim O' Boyle, T&G Convenor for the plant said the protests could be halted if Peugeot-Citroën came to the negotiating table.

“What I fail to understand is the company's determination to deny their employees the right to proper consultation and to remain in complete denial about the fact that they have broken the law.

“All that we ask as trades unions is they acknowledge this and sit down and discuss these matters seriously with us,” he said.

“If they do that, these demonstrations will be stopped. We have no interest in seeking conflict with PSA Peugeot-Citroen but equally we have no interest in just walking away and letting the company get away scot free by exporting our members’ jobs to Eastern Europe. The ball is in their court. Let them respond,” he added.

The decision to close the Ryton plant in Coventry was made in April. The plant will be brought to a close in two stages. It currently operates two shifts, which will be moved to a single shift in July. Production will not continue beyond July next year.