But the Italians claim the plan – dubbed Operation Football – has since been dropped.

Cheshire West and Chester has already written to managers at Ellesmere Port offering full support in capitalising on opportunities for growth.

Cllr Jones continued: “This authority stands four-square behindŠEllesmere Port and anything we can do to help ensure a bright future for the plant will be done, hence our direct approach to the man at the top of the General Motors empire.

“I believe that the Government are supportingŠVauxhall at the highest level and I would like to see this support extended to hard cash so that we can match the inducements offered by oth er countries at every level.”

But a spokesman for Vauxhall said: “I can understand their interest but what I would pressure them to do is lobby the British Government.

“Frederick Henderson is already very supportive of Britain. He knows that Ellesmere Port is an extremely productive plant that we need to retain.

“We need to make sure that the British Government realise that too.”

Describing the letter sent to managers at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire West chief executive Mr Robinson said: “We have suggested that we help senior management develop expansion options, help lobby support for Ellesmere Port and work with the company and the North West Development Agency to compile funding bids as proposed by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

“That offer is still on the table.

“In the mean time, concern is still growing in Ellesmere Port, and we must continue to do everything possible to influence the outcome, which means so much to a town heavily dependent on a handful of employers.”

Labour councillor Derek Bateman, an Ellesmere Port councillor who worked at Vauxhall for 17 years, also said: “This is an issue very close to my heart andŠI am delighted that this authority is proposed to move heaven and earth to help.

“We are intent upon driving forward the overall regeneration of Ellesmere Port and aŠ successful Vauxhall plant is very much a key element of the future of a town which has the highest unemployment rate (4.1%)Šin Cheshire and areas of social deprivation that figure among the country’s worst.”