Last car day at Dagenham: The mood of workers at Ford's biggest UK plant was said to be "sombre" as they geared up for the final day of car production.

The last few Ford Fiestas will leave the production line at the Dagenham plant in Essex today, marking the end of a 71-year era. Ford's decision to end car production hit 1,100 jobs, although the firm softened the blow by creating 500 jobs at its diesel engine operation on the same site.

BUSINESS SALE: Troubled engineering group Invensys is to offload a string of businesses to try to revive its fortunes. The operations up for sale form part of the industrial components and systems division and generate total annual sales of £2.3bn. Invensys, which cut 11,000 jobs in the year to September, hopes the disposals will cut £1.5bn from a £3.3bn debt mountain.

LAW SEMINAR: Law firm Ward Hadaway and employment relations specialists Acas hold a seminar on employment law from an employer's perspective on Thursday, February 28. It takes place at Ward Hadaway's Newcastle Quayside offices in Sandgate House. Tickets are £60 plus VAT. Contact Heather Boyes on 0191-204 4000.

GOING DUTCH: North-East contractors heading for Holland, Belgium and the Dutch offshore industry, can now get a Dutch Safety Passport (VVA1) without the need to travel abroad, thanks to an arrangement with SAIO Industriele of Holland. Examinations can be taken at the Nutec Centre for Safety, at Haverton Hill, Teesside. For details contact Nutec on (01642) 566656.

CUSTOMER CARE: Arriva Trains Northern has introduced a new travel information service on 0870 602 3322, or use the free station help-phones.

MERIT WIN: A trainee accountant who works for Keith Robinson and Co, of Middlesbrough, has got one of the best scores in the North-East in her final exams. Joanne Ayre, from Marton, ranked seventh in the Northern Society Order of Merit for her Technical Core Two examinations.

INVESTOR WIN: Parcel company Business Express in Middlesbrough has been successfully reassessed for the Investors in People business standard. The depot, in Canon Park Way, has a workforce of 58.