THE Honda plant in South Marston was evacuated earlier this morning after a fire in the engine plant.

Three fire appliances attended the factory where 5,000 people work and the cause was attributed to an aluminium spill in the die cast area.

"We're pleased to say that all the fire systems worked, the building was safely evacuated and damage was minor," said Julie Cameron, head of corporate communications at Honda at South Marston.

"We had appliances from the Wiltshire Fire Service in attendance and the fire was quickly contained and extinguished.

"There were no casualties and there was no impact on either car or engine production other than, for the short term, in the casting area. Everything is back to normal."

The South Marston factory will be producing just short of 240,000 vehicles this year.

A total of 140,000 Civics will be built along with 100,000 CR-Vs.