Peugeot's decision to shut the Ryton car factory will be remembered as "infamy", a union leader said yesterday as the Coventry plant prepares for closure.

In a final message to the 2,300 who will have lost their jobs when the factory closes this week, the head of its branch of the Transport & General Workers' Union took a swipe at the French carmaker.

Jim O'Boyle's attack, in a letter, follows pay talks between the T&G and Peugeot over next year's pay claim for the 1,000 employees left at the company's Aldermoor House HQ and the Tile Hill parts depot.

Mr O'Boyle, T&G works convenor, said: "We were trying to get the company to recognise the early closure. The people going in December should be compensated because by closing now they are denying them the opportunity to work until June.

"We also wanted redundancy to include the pay award. This is a way of telling the workers how we got on. I used to go around handing out messages, but with everyone leaving, this has become difficult."

In the letter, Mr O' Boyle says: "We all know the sense of anger and betrayal many of you felt following the announcement.

"This was compounded by the company's callous decision to bring forward the closure to Christmas, in direct contradiction of the promise to maintain production until mid 2007.

"We know you have become used to this sort of behaviour by a company who have given up any pretence of being a caring and honest employer."

The letter adds: "This response has hurt everybody. We can never forgive the company for the damage they have inflicted on you, your families and communities. Their infamy will be remembered."

  The Ryton Years, a special three-part series looking at 60 years of carmaking at Ryton, begins in The Birmingham Post tomorrow