3 April 2011 Last updated at 12:22 ET

Parts shortage could force Honda Swindon plant closure

Production at Honda's Swindon plant could be halted next month as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The Japanese car manufacturer said it is facing a shortage of parts at its South Marston plant which employs some 3,000 people.

It may have to slow down production, get components from elsewhere or halt production altogether.

The works previously closed for four months in February 2009 in a response to the downturn in the UK car market.

The closure is one of a number of temporary options being considered by the Swindon management but no workers are expected to be laid off because the plant has the capacity to alter production schedules.

Production is secure for April but the company said it was looking ahead to May to see how it could overcome any shortage of components.

The situation is likely to ease shortly when parts start being produced later this week as the five Honda factories in Japan restart production after power and infrastructure checks.

Meetings are ongoing and a decision is likely to be made later this week.