A BUSINESS leader has called on the government to offer its support over the Honda plant closure.

Paddy Bradley, director of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, told the Adver: "It's clear that [Honda] leaving the area is a major event.

"When Honda laid off about a third of its workforce there was a very concerted effort by people.

"Clearly this is many times larger but we would anticipate national support and expect the same level of support from government and I think that will happen.

"They have done a lot of good for the area so we want to make the outcome afterwards is as good or better."

Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, is said to be in talks with the Prime Minister this afternoon to discuss the closure.