Freedom of the City for Sunderland Nissan workers

The workforce is set to be granted Freedom of the City of Sunderland Credit: PA

The entire workforce at Nissan Sunderland are set to be granted Freedom of the City.

Last night, councillors voted unanimously to bestow the honour, after workers secured the future production of the new Qashqai model.

The above notice received cross-party support.

Last month Nissan, which employs more than 7,000 people in Sunderland, said it would be updating its production facilities with a new Qashqai model and a new vehicle the X-Trail.

In the 30 years since it began production in Sunderland, more than eight million vehicles have rolled off its production lines.

Freedoms are proposed in Sunderland to individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the wellbeing and community spirit of the city.

Recent freedoms have included former Sunderland AFC players Niall Quinn MBE and its goalkeeping legend Jimmy Montgomery BEM, and Joël Batteux the Mayor of Sunderland's twin-town St Nazaire.

Other freedoms of Sunderland include television reporter Kate Adie, 4 Regiment Royal Artillery, 3 Rifles and the crew of HMS Ocean, Sunderland's adopted warship and the Royal Navy's largest.