Shift workers garden in downturn

Night shift workers helped transform a community garden

Night workers at a Toyota factory where shifts have been suspended have been using their free time to help out with community projects.

Last month staff at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire were told the night shift was being halted for five months in response to the economic downturn.

The company wants to cut production of the Auris car by 15,000 this year.

The night shift workers' first project has been to help transform a community garden in Swadlincote.

Clive Bridge, Toyota's corporate affairs manager, said: "The market is in a difficult situation and we had to adjust our production volumes accordingly.

"Moving down to one shift for a temporary period was the best measure we took.

"We are investing in training and projects like these out things back into the community."

One employee Adam Peace said he was glad to be getting involved.

"Obviously it was a bit of a shock to a lot of the guys but we've been given the opportunity to do work like this and we've really enjoyed it."