THOUSANDS of Nissan workers were this evening (Thursday, September 7) awarded the Freedom of the City of Sunderland.

The North-East car giant's 7,000 workers were represented by 65 members of staff at a special ceremony in Sunderland’s Civic Centre.

The accolade was first proposed by city council leader Paul Watson and was later approved at a full council meeting.

It recognises the role of Nissan’s skilled and flexible workforce in establishing the largest ever and most successful plant in the history of UK car production.

Cllr Watson said: “Nissan’s phenomenal success in Sunderland would not have been possible without the highly skilled and hard-working people it employs here.

"The plant’s workforce has been instrumental in building the city’s global reputation and in maintaining our proud track record of manufacturing and engineering quality products for the rest of the world.”

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan’s Divisional Vice President, European manufacturing, said: “I speak for the whole plant when I say how proud we are to receive this honour from Sunderland City Council.

"For three decades Nissan and the City of Sunderland have worked hand in hand, creating a leading global automotive centre.

“Central to that has been the ingenuity, quality and commitment of our workforce - so many of whom were born and bred close to our factory.”

Freedoms of the City are granted upon individuals or groups as valued members of the community and who have made outstanding contributions to the wellbeing and community spirit of the city.

The Nissan factory supports 40,000 supply chain jobs and has produced almost nine million cars since it opened in 1986, with an impressive track record of attracting new models to Sunderland.

In 2015 the plant became home to INFINITI – the first new car brand to be manufactured in the UK for 23 years and saw cars made in Sunderland exported to the United States and China for the first time.

The plant also produces the all electric Nissan LEAF, the first mass-produced electric car, and will also make the new X-Trail vehicle and the next Qashqai model.

Nissan has also committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills and capabilities of its workforce. In 2012 Nissan teamed up with Gateshead College to develop the UK’s first skills academy for ‘Sustainable Manufacturing & Innovation’ at the Sunderland plant.

Since operations began, Nissan has trained more than 4,000 young people through its apprenticeship and graduate programmes with many going on to take leadership roles within Nissan.