WHEN Tony Blair took a break from running the gauntlet of angry firefighters to launch the new Micra at Nissan's Sunderland plant yesterday, he may have expected a lull in the storm.

Instead, he faced heat from another direction - this time over Britain's stance on the euro.

The launch of the Micra represents a huge endorsement of the skills, flexibility and productivity of the company's North-East workers.

The car manufacturer remains crucial to the region's economy and now the North-East must secure the deal to produce the new Almera.

But Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn dropped a heavy hint to the Prime Minister that the North-East's chances would be hindered if Britain remains outside the euro.

We have never suggested that there is an easy answer to the euro question. We have supported the Government's "wait and see" policy as one based on common sense.

However, there is growing evidence that a company employing 4,000 workers in the North-East - with thousands more at risk in associated industries - is becoming increasingly impatient.

And while we accept that Nissan's view is not the only one, Britain has to decide which route it wants to take - the indecision has to stop - or the consequences could be disastrous.