JAGUAR car workers have backed a call for a strike ballot in protest at the ending of motor production at their plant, unions announced last night.

A series of meetings among employees and union shop stewards at the Browns Lane factory, in Coventry, led to strong support for a campaign of opposition to the controversial decision to move production to Castle Bromwich, in Birmingham.

Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union said workers were furious that Ford, which owns Jaguar, had broken an agreement to keep manufacturing at the site.

Workers at Jaguar's research and development centre at Whitley, near Coventry, also voted to support their colleagues at Browns Lane in whatever action they took.

Workers said they were angry that the decision, which will cost 1,150 jobs, was announced last Friday when the plant was closed because of production cuts.

Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson said: "The effective closure of Browns Lane goes against the promises made by Ford for the site to remain the centre for Jaguar production in the UK.

"We also believe that the 750 staff-side cuts being proposed across the company means the closure of the research and development facility at Whitley and will ultimately jeopardise Jag-uar's survival in the UK."

The unions said they would be holding further meetings this week at other Ford-owned plants, including those making Land Rovers and Aston Martins.

Under the plans announced by Ford, 310 jobs will remain at Coventry making wood finishes for Jaguar cars.