DELEGATES from Down Under have sampled car building North-East-style on on a visit to Sunderland's Nissan factory.

Australian government delegates were so impressed with the plant and the business that they are to recommend the region to potential investors there.

One NorthEast's Asia Pacific team, working with the North-East Productivity Alliance and the Tyne and Wear Development Company, drew up the itinerary for the two-day fact-finding mission as part of their efforts to secure new business links with the Australasian market.

The South Australian team toured the factory, looking at production and logistics control and industrial relations.

As well as being Europe's most productive car assembly plant, Nissan has a worldwide reputation for working practices, supplier development and industrial relations.

The visitors viewed working practices in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and France.

On their North-East stay, the delegation also visited Faurecia, Exel Logistics and Fergusons.

Delegation member David Violasaid: "A lot has been written about Nissan and the very good working relationships they have with their staff and we were delighted at the very generous reception we were given there."