Ford’s factory in Southampton is replacing two-shift working days with a single shift.

The plant, which makes Transit vans, will also close for 20 days over the next three months, reported BBC News.

The announcement came as 1,100 staff returned to work after a Christmas break which was extended due to a downturn in vehicle sales.

Ford has said there will be no job losses at the factory in Swaythling.

It said it was responding to "significantly reduced medium commercial vehicle sales across Europe" with more than 50% of the plant output exported.

"Production employees will work on this single daytime shift on a rotational basis and will receive full basic pay," it said in a statement.

"Southampton plant is retaining its flexible shift pattern capability during this quarter so that it can respond to any future changes in demand."