Councillors from across the political spectrum will work together to come up with a way the local authority can help either keep Hondas in Swindon, or minimise the damage of the closure of the Stratton plant.

But members will have to remain tight-lipped because of commercial confidentiality, and have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The council's growing the economy oversight and scrutiny committee was charged by a motion by full council with setting up the group. It will be chaired by Coun Emma Faramarzi, and will be constituted as a cabinet member advisory group. Conservative councillors Roger Smith, Maureen Penny and Garry Perkins have volunteered, and the Labour and Lib Dem groups will also be asked to nominate members - as it is specifically meant to be a cross-party group.

Coun Oliver Donachie the cabinet member for economic development chairs the council's main Honda task group and said it will work with the committee's advisory group.