Land Rover has reintroduced the nightshift at its giant Solihull factory as it gets ready for new versions of its iconic 4x4s in the coming months.

The move is a major vote of confidence in the future of the motoring industry in the region, hammered in recent months by the effects of the recession.

Land Rover has even claimed it is even seeing a recovery in some markets such as China.

With the new upgraded Range Rover on sale next month and the improved Range Rover Sport and Discover 4 in showrooms in September, the firm is expecting to see a significant boost to sales, spokesman Mark Foster said.

As a result 3,500 workers at Lode Lane are set to earn up to £260 a month more with the return of the night shift, which was suspended in September.