NISSAN is expected to confirm a new model for its North-East car plant today in a move that will safeguard thousands of jobs.

Chief executive Carlos Ghosn will fly to France for the Paris Motor Show announcement.

He is expected to say that the group's Sunderland plant has won the international battle to produce a European version of the C-Note hatchback.

Although company officials were tight-lipped last night, they confirmed a delegation from the Sunderland plant, including managing director Colin Dodge, were on their way to Paris for the announcement.

Mr Dodge would not normally attend an international motor show unless the Sunderland plant had a direct interest in what was to be shown or announced.

Mr Ghosn has said there will be no direct replacement for the slow-selling Almera. Instead, the company hopes to pick up sales by offering a variety of medium-sized models.

Production of the current Almera hatchback will wind down at the end of the year to make way for the new model.

A decision to build the new model on Wearside would be welcomed by the Government, which has given grants of £170m to the plant during the past 17 years.