Nissan and Toyota's British car plants are the most efficient in Europe, a new study revealed today.

Nissan's Sunderland factory topped the productivity chart with 101 cars built per employee, reported the World Markets Research Centre's survey.

Employees at Toyota's Derby factory came a distant second at the rate of 86 vehicles per employee.

WMRC spokesman Ian Robertson said: "The report again sees a UK plant competing with the top global performers.

"When the Global Index is issued later this year we will see whether Nissan, Sunderland can outstrip all other plants."

Updated: 17.01 Thursday, June 28