Europe's most productive car plant has reached another manufacturing milestone.

Staff at Nissan, in Sunderland, have just completed their three millionth car since production began in 1986.

So many cars have been built since production began that, if placed end to end, the line would stretch from the North to South poles.

To commemorate achieving the landmark, John Cushnaghan, managing director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, donated the car, a five-door Micra S, to the organisers of the 25th British Transplant Games, being held in Loughborough at the end of the month.

Members of the Transplant Sports Association of Great Britain will raffle the car to raise money for the Transplant Games.

Mr Cushnaghan said: "Reaching the three million mark is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the workforce we have here on Wearside.

"In our first year of production 5,139 Bluebirds were built. By way of contrast, last year we produced nearly 300,000 Micras, Primeras and Almeras, making Nissan Sunderland the largest car producer in the UK for the third year in a row."

Mr Cushnaghan, who had kidney transplant surgery, said: "Fundraising is essential to ensure that vital important research into organ transplantation continues."