Tony Blair hailed the North-East workforce as an example to the rest of the country while visiting the Nissan motor plant to help officially launch the companys latest model.

Since production began at the Sunderland plant 20 years ago more than four million cars have rolled off the production line and this morning Mr Blair had a close look at the latest model, the Note.

After touring the sprawling plant and chatting with workers Mr Blair sat inside the new model and declared it a winner.

Speaking to workers, in the heart of the shop floor, Mr Blair said: We are really lucky we have a company like this in our region which is prepared not just to make the investment but also the commitment to the long term future.

I remember just over 20 years ago when Nissan first came to the North East there was controversy at the time.

But the company has settled down to become a major part of the manufacturing infrastructure not just in the region but the country.

You can see not only the effort that goes in here but also the tremendous enthusiasm that the workforce has for the plant.

I came here a couple of years ago and the sense of excitement you get when you come into this plant never leaves you.

The Note looks to be a wonderful car and for its size it is going to be one of the leaders in the whole of the world.

Mr Blair was joined on his 40-minute tour by Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn.

Mr Ghosn told the assembled workers that the new Note was a tangible expression of the companys confidence in Sunderland.

He added: If Sunderland can succeed with the Note and Im confident it will, we will have many other new models for this plant.