The first Astra Sports Tourer (pictured) has rolled off the production line in Ellesmere Port, vehicle manufacturer Vauxhall has revealed.

An Elite 1.6CDTi in Flip Chip Silver was the first vehicle to be completed.

Plant workers were joined by Peter Thom, vice president of global manufacturing at Vauxhall's owner General Motors, and Ellesmere Port plant director Stefan Fesser for the ceremony.

The Ellesmere Port plant has built more than five million vehicles and is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production going to 25 European markets. At full production, it is estimated that the plant will build around 680 cars per day and 120,000 per year.

"This first Astra Sports Tourer marks another milestone in the great history of Vauxhall manufacturing in the North West," said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall's chairman and managing director.

""The all-new Astra is of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Ellesmere Port. I'm very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world-class levels of quality and productivity."

The new Astra Sports Tourer is due to be introduced to Vauxhall showrooms from March 2016.

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