A NORTH-East Euro MP has thrown his weight behind calls for the EU to back Nissan's £40m aid package, which is hoped could help guarantee the new Micra contract.

Martin Callanan has written to EU commissioner for competition, Mario Monti, outlining the impact on the 5,000 workers at the Wearside plant if the Government aid was rejected by Brussels.

Mr Callanan, who is Conservative member for the North-East, was highlighting the importance he believes the £40m will have on Nissan's decision.

He said: "I sent the letter because I wanted Mario Monti to be in no doubt whatsoever of the importance of the decision he is going to make concerning the aid package.

"The plant at Washington has a record that is second to none and it is important that as Euro MP for the North-East, I expressed to Mr Monti the extent to which workers at Nissan enjoy the full support of people here in the region."

The EU is expected to decide in the next fortnight whether the proposed aid contravenes European rules on competition.

Up to 1,000 jobs at Nissan Wearside could depend on it landing the new Micra.

MP for Washington and Houghton, Fraser Kemp, whose constituency includes the plant, will be in Brussels on Friday to hold talks with Mario Monti on the aid package.

Once the decision is made, it is expected that Nissan will announce whether the new Micra will be built at its Wearside plant or at a Renault factory in France.