A RETIREMENT row at Southampton's Ford Transit factory has been swiftly resolved.

The company was unable to rubber-stamp the early retirement of three key production workers due to a "temporary hitch".

Under a union-negotiated deal, the experienced employees hoped to leave at the age of 58 this month.

But it is understood Ford raised concerns that the departures would impact upon production.

However, the men - held in high esteem for their experience and loyalty - are now free to leave after union representatives held an on-site meeting yesterday.

Last year records were broken when the 1,440 employees at the Southampton plant turned out 70,674 Transit vans, up by 30 per cent on the year before.

Ford's early retirement policy is said to be the envy of competitors, helping to lead to one of the lowest staff turnover figures in industry.