PRODUCTION of a new model began yesterday at the region's record-breaking Nissan car factory, creating 200 jobs and safeguarding hundreds more.

The Wearside plant started production of the Note well ahead of the official "on sale" date in March.

The first car down the line was a silver 1.6 petrol model that will be sold to a customer in the UK.

The five-door compact brings the total number of models built at the UK's largest plant to five after the launch of the Micra C+C last September.

The Sunderland plant manufactures four distinct model ranges - Micra, Almera, Primera and Note - on two production lines.

Until recently, that had been thought impossible, but the plant's flexibility enables it to make different models next to each other.

The Japanese car maker has been able to add the Note to its roster because the car is closely related to the Micra.

First shown as the Tone prototype at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the Note, a sister vehicle to the Renault Modus, is already on sale in Japan.

Designed by Taiji Toyota, who was also responsible for the X-Trail 4x4, it is built on a stretched version of the Micra/Clio platform and has room for five adult passengers.

Nissan has also shown a prototype Note with interchangeable trim that was inspired by Adidas trainers.

The one-off model had changeable seat covers, customisable rubber bumpers, a zip-up glovebox and a removable centre console-come-shopping bag.

The standard car still uses novel trims and colours to lift the interior above its budget car competition.

In December this year, a 4X4 model will become the sixth vehicle made on Wearside.

The Note represents an investment of about £125m and safeguards about 800 jobs, while creating another 200.

UK deliveries of the Note will begin in March - April for diesel variants - with prices ranging from £9,995 to £13,395.