Car manufacturer BMW confirmed tonight it will be closing down production over the weekend because of the Spanish truckers' fuel strike.

The Cowley-based company, which employs 4,700 people, will be closing its manufacturing from late Friday through until at least early Monday because it cannot get crucial parts out of Spain.

The shutdown will affect hundreds of the total staff but the company said workers would still be paid.

The strike by Spanish hauliers, who are protesting over soaring fuel prices, has blocked roads and hit production and exports out of the country.

One of the most major components BMW cannot get is brake discs.

Spokesman Rebecca Baxter said: "It is too early to tell how many (employees) it will affect.

"We are trying to monitor the situation in Spain, but we don't know how long the effect is going to last.

"The situation is beyond our control and the strike is affecting manufacturers across Europe, who are unable to get parts out of Spain as all ports and airports have been blocked.

"We are unable to maintain production due to a lack of crucial parts but hope to resume full production shortly.

"In the meantime we are monitoring the situation closely and are grateful for our (employees') understanding at this time."

She added the company hoped to let staff know if and when production was resuming by 11am on Monday.

One worker said: "They have said we are not required to work tomorrow night and we have to ring up on Monday to find out.

"They cannot guarantee what work we will have next week.

"We haven't had any lay-outs like this for a long time."

This had been forecast as a bumper year of manufacture at the Cowley plant with bosses aiming for 240,000 vehicles to roll off the production line.

In Spain, the striking lorry drivers were today warned to get back to work as the government took a hard line against their protest.

They were told they have no chance of victory on the fourth day of a stoppage that has led to shortages and panic-buying of food and fuel.

The self-employed strikers say big haulage companies can cope better with fuel price increases by lowering their rates to land more jobs. So the protesting drivers are demanding a minimum, guaranteed rate for their services.

The government refuses, saying that would interfere with free-market competition and actually violate European Union rules.

Spanish drivers say their diesel costs have risen 36 per cent in a year.