WORKERS at car giant BMW are to stage a fresh protest as part of a campaign against plans to close their final salary pension scheme, following the failure of talks to break the deadlocked row.

Members of Unite will hold a demonstration at the Mini plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire, on Friday after the union said talks ended in an "impasse."

The union said closure of the BMW occupational pension scheme by the end of May could see some workers lose up to £160,000 in retirement income.

A ballot for industrial action is being held, with the result due at the end of the month.

Unite national officer Tony Murphy said: "BMW Group's continued refusal to discuss options for keeping the pension scheme open raises questions about how serious the carmaker is about resolving this dispute.

"BMW is sleepwalking into industrial action. I'd urge the management to wake up, recognise the depth of anger and negotiate a settlement which is good for the business and good for the workforce."

A BMW statement said: "BMW Group has always prided itself in providing excellent pensions for all its staff and wants to act now to protect future pension provision."