FORD has announced further cuts to production at its Dagenham plant following a decline in vehicle demand in European and world markets. The factory makes Ford Fiesta cars and vans, Courier vans and Mazda 121 saloons and exports about 45% of its production. The cancellation of five shifts in November and December will take 3,000 cars out of its production cycle.

Dagenham's 4,400 employees will still be expected to attend their shifts, but will be given additional training. Ford had already axed its Thursday night and Friday day shifts for seven weeks from October 1.