Angry workers said staff hurled fruit and vegetables at union leaders when they were informed they were losing their jobs.

Others vented their anger towards the famous Mini cars, scratching bonnets, smashing dashboards and hiding ignition keys, some of the former staff claimed.

Many were furious as they fled the plant, some angrily beeping their horns and screeching their car tyres.

Roger Freitis, 26, of Cowley, said: “We’ve been here all weekend asking what is going to happen and they say nothing.

“I’ve been here for two years. I’ve been paying money to the union and asking what is going to happen with my job.

“Then an hour before the end they round us up and say we are going.

“No redundancy, nothing, just an hour’s notice. It’s disgusting.

“I’ve got a mortgage and a child. I don’t know what to do.”

A BMW spokesman said: “A small number of cars were damaged over the weekend. All of these vehicles have been identified and do not present a risk to customers.”