Workers at Europe's most productive car plant, Nissan in Sunderland, have motored past a manufacturing milestone by building their three millionth car since production began in 1986.

So many cars have been built at Sunderland throughout the past 16 years (more than 1,300,000 Micras, 1,200,000 Primeras, 295,000 Almeras and 187,000 Bluebirds) that if they were placed end to end, the line would stretch from pole to pole!

To commemorate the achievement, Managing Director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, John Cushnaghan, donated the landmark car - a silver 5-door Micra S - to organisers of the 25th British Transplant Games, due to be held in Loughborough at the end of the month.

He said: "Reaching the three million mark is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the workforce we have here on Wearside.

"In our first year of production 5,139 Bluebirds were built. By way of contrast, last year we produced nearly 300,000 Micras, Primeras and Almeras, making Nissan Sunderland the largest car producer in the UK for the third year in a row."

Members of the Transplant Sports Association of Great Britain (TSAGB) will raffle the three millionth vehicle to raise money for the British Transplant Games, which are celebrating their Silver Jubilee this year.

John Cushnaghan, himself the recipient of a kidney transplant, added: "I'm delighted to donate this very special Micra to the Games. Fundraising is essential to ensure that vitally important research into organ transplantation continues.

"As well as being a great sporting event in their own right, the British Transplant Games act to raise the awareness of transplantation issues, in particular the importance of carrying a donor card."

· To date, the Sunderland operation represents more than £1.8 billion of investment in world-class car production facilities. 60 per cent of all Nissan sales across Europe are built at the plant, which exports 75 per cent of its production to over 55 markets worldwide.

· Since it was opened in 1986 (by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) the Sunderland operation has spent £10,749 billion on components with over 250 suppliers.

The photo shows children from the Freeman Hospital Transplant Games Team with the 3 millionth NMUK-built car at Gateshead International Stadium.