A key figure in the history of car production at Cowley during the turbulent 1970s has died, aged 77.

Tony Thompson worked for 22 years at the Morris Radiators factory in north Oxford, before becoming production director of the Austin Morris division.

The Yorkshire-born engineer later became operations director, not only for Cowley, but also for the MG sports car factory at Abingdon.

In 1975, he took over as director of BL's large car body and assembly operations, with responsibility for the Daimler, Jaguar and Rover plants.

A year later, he became Leyland Cars' production director, assuming responsibility for operations at nine assembly plants throughout the UK.

After leaving the British car industry, his career diversified. He went to Malta, where he acted as adviser to the Maltese Government.

Mr Thompson was also consulted over the possible construction of rolling stock for a North African railway.

A close friend, David Heavens, of Besselsleigh near Cumnor, said: "In all these later enterprises, Tony Thompson was a much-appreciated working associate."