THE pronouncement by union leader Tony Woodley that one of Britain’s car factories was set to go to the wall within days has brought a great deal of criticism down on his shoulders in the last few days.

And alongside the brickbats has come widespread speculation about just which factory he meant.

Yesterday one national Sunday newspaper claimed it had discovered that the plant in the firing line was Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port.

It seemed difficult to believe, but was also, inevitably, deeply worrying.

Why would a factory that is poised to begin producing a brand new version of the Astra before the end of the year be closed down? Of all the car factories likely to have a profitable future, surely Ellesmere Port looked like one of the most promising.

Well, by last night we knew the answer. Mr Woodley spoke out to deny that he was referring to Ellesmere Port.

But much more encouragingly, General Motors’ director of communications for the UK and Ireland, Dennis Chick, came out last night to brand the report “absolute rubbish” and declare: “We are in business and we will continue to be in business.”

These are difficult days for everyone in the car industry, and Ellesmere Port, in these times of reduced production and extended shutdowns, clearly has no room for complacency.

But the reassurances that emerged last night will be a great comfort to the Vauxhall workforce, and the subsidiary businesses that rely upon them.

It is a positive message for the whole Ellesmere Port community, and for the regional economy. Whatever you think about Mr Woodley’s comments, and their potential impact on other car plants, they have certainly brought welcome news to Merseyside.