KEEPING Honda investing in Swindon is the first priority of the joint-taskforce set up in response to the plant's closure.

Local MPs met with trade unions, workers from Honda, and business groups at the emergency taskforce meeting on Wednesday.

Chaired by business secretary Greg Clark the taskforce has agreed to promote Swindon as a world-class production facility to protect the highly-skilled workers and ensure Honda’s continued investment in the plant.

In a joint statement with leader of Swindon Borough Council David Renard and John Mortimer, chair of the Swindon Local Enterprise Partnership, Mr Clark said: "Our first priority is to make the case to Honda that investment in vehicles of the future is best done in Swindon. We are united in that mission.

"We have some of the best talent in the world and the government is already investing in future car manufacturing, batteries and electrification infrastructure to ensure the UK retains its world-leading edge.

"The Taskforce is also working to ensure that Swindon continues its record of attracting investment from advanced manufacturers, maintaining and creating highly-skilled jobs that offer fulfilling careers for many years to come."