Peter Johansen, vice president of Geely UK's black cab operation, said that the Coventry factory would be supplying vehicles for the UK while others will be made in the sister factory in Shanghai for the left-hand drive market.

BBC: England

Sales have been in decline - the Coventry-based firm sold 1, 502 taxis in the UK last year, compared with 1, 653 in 2010, a fall of 9.1%.

BBC: Manganese Bronze to call in administrators

Elsewhere, 32 towns and cities will host 200 hours of festivities including an aerial tightrope walk in Coventry, a world record sing-a-long attempt in Manchester and the UK's biggest tea dance in Plymouth.

BBC: Weather hampers New Year revelry

The UK Border Agency has pledged a deadline of this summer to conclude the asylum case of a man in Coventry which has been going on for 11 years.

BBC: Said Gholampour