The boss of car firm Daewoo's Worthing's plant declared today: "The dark days are over."

Jim Mason, managing director at the Daewoo technical centre in Lyons Farm, said last month's "disastrous" espisode, when the Korean firm could not afford to pay staff, would not be repeated.

Mr Mason was speaking at a preview day for the Motor Show at Birmingham.

He said the technical centre had been restructured since more than 100 jobs were axed there in August.

One result of the new optimism at the plant was the production of the experimental Musiro 2-2 sports car, unveiled today.

Mr Mason said: "The people at Worthing are very skilled and committed. They deserve to be paid on time."

He said problems started when US giant Ford pulled out of a much-vaunted takeover deal.

He said: "We did not foresee that. It caused a reaction in the credit availability, in the flow of funds."

The Musiro - in Korean the word means "anytime" - he described as a car conceived with production in mind. It was designed and built wholly at Worthing.

Chris Milburn, chief designer at the technical centre, said: "It is a bold design but with a very European feel to it."

Read about the Musiro in Friday's Drive with the Argus.