British van manufacturer LDV is seeking talks with government to discuss “immediate assistance” as the commercial vehicle maker said it is being forced to extend the shutdown of its Washwood Heath plant into next month.

“LDV is facing unprecedented and immediate pressures,” said Guy Jones, LDV marketing director.

“Like other van manufacturers, LDV has been subject to a significant downturn in the market.”

New van registrations were down 26.6% last month, and down 14.3% to 289,463 for the year.

This compounds the difficult final quarter of 2008, which saw a 40% drop in light van registrations.