Workers at the Mini Plant in Cowley are to take to the streets tomorrow in a protest over pension changes.

Staff will protest outside the plant at midday, shortly before BMW workers at Hams Hall engine plant in the West Midlands hold their own protest.

It comes after workers at the Cowley Plant were balloted last Friday for strike action after being offered a one-off pension payment of £7,000.

Trade union Unite said the closure of the BMW occupation pension scheme could see some of the car firm's UK workforce lose up to £160,000 in retirement income.

The ballot involves workers in Cowley, Farnborough, Hams Hall and Swindon and closes on Friday, March 31.

Unite regional officer Tony Murphy said: "Workers will be protesting and encouraging their colleagues to back industrial action and send a clear message to BMW bosses that they will not tolerate the firm’s pension robbery.

"The UK workforce has contributed massively to BMW Group’s record sales and revenues and deserves better than BMW’s broken pension promises and pleas of poverty.

“We would urge BMW to recognise the vital role the world class UK workforce has played in the company’s success and work with Unite to find a solution which safeguards car workers’ pensions and works well for the business.”

Following the announcement last week that workers were to be balloted BMW said the group had 'always prided itself on excellent pensions for al its staff' and wanted to 'protect future pension provision.'