A new MG car has rolled off the production line at the company's Longbridge plant.

It may signal perhaps a new era of manufacturing for the brand.

This comes six years after thousands of jobs were shed when the West Midlands factory closed. Some of the factory's 400 workers gathered to watch the car as it emerged from production amid clouds of dry ice and bursts of coloured foil confetti.

MG is now owned by Chinese car company SAIC and is describing the new vehicle as the first all-new MG for 16 years. The first car off the line was a red MG6 and was driven by the plant's only female factory worker, Lisa Ponter.

Miss Ponter who was one of those who lost her job, said she did not hesitate to return when production at the site resumed.

"It is great to see cars coming off the line again. It's been too long and hopefully more people will be employed here," said Miss Ponter.

Speaking about her role driving the car off the production line she added: "It was nerve wracking. I was shaking to start with hoping everything went to plan - which it did."

It is expected that the 1.8-litre MG6 will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.