THE boss of Vauxhall's parent company has said there will no further investment in the Ellesmere Port plant until the fate of Brexit is known.

Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Groupe PSA, which took over Vauxhall in 2017, also warned a no-deal outcome would be a "disaster" for Britain and the rest of Europe.

Mr Tavares made the comments during an ITV News interview at the annual Geneva car show on Tuesday.

The motor firm, in parallel with most other car companies, is looking to manufacture more electric and hybrid cars in the future.

Currently, Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant makes the Astra, but does not make any electric or hybrid cars.

Asked what was stopping that from happening, Mr Tavares said: "Basically Brexit.

"Because that represents a very big investment, as you might imagine, and we cannot invest in a site where we don't know what is going to be the profitability based on eventual customs duties that would be put on top of that business case."

When questioned on the future of the Ellesmere Port plant in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Mr Tavares said: "For the UK as a whole, not specifically for Ellesmere Port, a no-deal outcome I think it's a disaster.

"It's also a disaster for Continental Europe. We Europeans have all the reasons in the world to make a deal."

The Ellesmere Port plant has been hit with a series of job losses in recent years, the last announced in November 2018, where a "phased reduction" during 2019 would ultimately see headcount reduced by 241.

That announcement led every union worker at the plant to walk out in protest over ongoing job cuts.