Nissan’s Sunderland plant is looking to recruit 100 more staff as it readies for the launch of its new Qashqai.

The family crossover SUV goes on sale on March 1 and the plant is already producing more than 1,500 a week.

The new employees will join the 300 staff already taken on to work on the new model.

Danny Griffiths, Nissan personnel director, said: "The new staff will play a key role in the critical early phase of Qashqai's production and although they are joining on temporary contacts, there is real potential for this to be extended."

The company is hoping to build 140,000 Qashqais a year. The majority are ear-marked for European sales, but about 30,000 a year are intended for other markets.