More than 100 MPs are urging Peugeot to reconsider its decision to close the Ryton car plant.

In a letter to The Times yesterday 107 MPs appeal to the company to discuss workers’ unions plans for new work for the plant, which employs 2,300 and is scheduled to close next year.

The MPs write: “We believe that it is incumbent on Peugeot to at least enter negotiations on the trade union plan to save the Ryton plant…before proceeding further towards closure.”

They warn Peugeot will damage its reputation by the closure.

Peugeot said it had considered the unions’ plan which involves Ryton continuing on one shift until 2009 and then begin building a new Peugeot model at a factory in Slovakia. It has offered to meet unions on July 4 to explain why Ryton must close.