Nissan’s Sunderland plant is to take on 100 new manufacturing staff on temporary contracts as a result of the scrappage scheme.

Last month, the plant re-hired 150 staff on four-month fixed term contracts following significant increases in demand within markets already operating scrapping initiatives, including France, Germany and Italy.

Now, following the launch of the UK scheme, a further 100 staff will be taken on to help support a planned overall increase of 18,000 units in the June-September production plan.

The additional staff will again be offered four-month contracts, and will operate on the plant’s Micra and Note production line.

Nissan is targeting the pool of temporary manufacturing staff who lost their jobs as a result of the plant’s recent rightsizing activity.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Sunderland plant’s deputy managing director, said: “The short term spike in demand being delivered by all scrappage incentives is providing a valuable shot in the arm during a difficult period.

“Sunderland models – particularly smaller cars like Note and Micra – are proving very popular with scrappage customers, and although the market remains highly volatile, we welcome this further opportunity to add to our workforce.”