Vauxhall has offered workers at its Ellesmere Port plant eight months off on 30 per cent pay.

Workers at the Merseyside site would not have to turn up for work between January 1 and September 1.

The decision affects about 2,200 staff although some key personnel may be exempt.

General Motors, which owns Vauxhall, has said it may run out of cash by the end of the year.

The company announced today it plans to cut North American production volume by about 250,000 units, or 30 per cent, during the first quarter of 2009. 

The U.S Senate rejected a $9.4 billion loan to help out the manufacturer plus Chrysler and Ford who are also struggling.