THE first car plant to be built in the UK for eight years was opened by Honda president Hiroyuki Yoshino yesterday.

The £130m factory at South Marston, near Swindon, Wiltshire, will create about 1,000 jobs and will produce an extra 100,000 vehicles a year at its peak.

The plant, Honda's second on the site, has been operating for six months, but yesterday was a day for official celebrations.

The opening was marked by the arrival of Formula One drivers Jacques Villeneuve, Jean Alesi, Olivier Panis and Jarno Trulli in one of the new Civic models which will be made at the plant.

The drivers race for the Jordan and BAR teams, and their cars are powered by Honda engines.

In his speech, Mr Yoshino said the new plant would form a vital part of the company's worldwide network.

He said: "The new plant is the first new greenfield manufacturing facility to be built in the UK for over eight years.

"Swindon will become the only production facility in the world for the new Civic three-door, exporting this car to Japan, USA and Canada.

"Global growth prospects are strong, our products are in great demand. For Honda in Europe, we will boost production, begin exporting to other major markets, and returning to profitability in Europe.

"I welcome Swindon into the global product supply network, with what is a world class manufacturing facility."

As well as the new Civic, the plant will also make Honda's CR-V model, for the North American market, giving the Swindon operation a combined productivity rate of 250,000 vehicles a year.

The the firm began operations in Swindon in 1986.