Car maker Nissan is to create 400 jobs at its Sunderland plant to meet demand for the Qashqai model.

The fixed-term manufacturing posts are needed for a night-shift production line due to begin in May. Up to 160 temporary staff will also be retained.

Last year the company cut 1,200 of 4,300 jobs at the plant amid falling overall sales.

Trevor Mann, senior vice president for manufacturing in Europe, said the Qashqai was bucking market trends.

He said: “Qashqai continues to buck the trend of a generally depressed market, and we have now identified the need for an additional shift to cover a high volume request in the first half of the 2010 financial year.”

Demand for the car is now out-stripping supply and the firm expects another sales boost in March when an updated version goes on sale in Europe.

Nissan said the market would dictate how long the night shift would remain in operation, adding that it expected it to be for six months.

Source : BBC News