Fears are growing that one of the country's largest car manufacturing firms, Toyota, could move its production out of the UK as a result of the Government's position on Brexit.

These fears after a company executive warned that plans to upgrade the current factory in Burnaston could be at risk of collapsing.

Back in March, 2017, the car-maker announced plans to invest £240 million into the Burnaston factory after apparently being handed written guarantees from the Government that car exports from Britain would not attract duty.

But now, Didier Leroy, the executive vice president at Toyota said that there has been a shift in the Government's position and that questions will now rise over the company's future spending in the United Kingdom.

Tom Blake, the Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalthon and Wallington, who is known to be Pro-EU, said his concern over Mr Leroy's comments and highlighted that the jobs of the 2,500 people currently employed at the Burnaston factory could be under threat.

Labour MP, Chuka Umunna said Mr Leroy's comments showed that Theresa May should ditch her plans to leave the single market and customs union.

When Toyota announced plans to invest £240 million in its Burnaston plant, the car giant called for continued tariff- and barrier-free access between the UK and Europe.

Mr Leroy said of his concerns that the Government's approach to Brexit in an interview with Reuters at the Frankfurt car show.

Mr Leroy said: "A few months ago the Government was saying 'we're sure we’ll be able to negotiate a deal without any trade tax. They are not saying that anymore.

"It's clear that, if we have to wait two or three more years to have clarity on this topic, we will have a big question mark about our future investment in the country."

Mr Umunna is a leading supporter of the Open Britain campaign pushing for continued close tie with Brussels.

He said: "Toyota employs thousands of people in this country and it is extremely worrying that they are becoming increasingly exasperated with the Government's shambolic attitude to negotiations.

"Ministers used to promise exporters that, after Brexit, they would enjoy the 'exact same benefits' as single market and customs union membership.

"But as the Brexit talks flounder and reality starts to bite, they're facing up to the fact that their plans for a destructive hard Brexit will make us less attractive to investors and damage our economy."

Mr Blake, who is also a Pro-Eu MP added: "The Conservatives are leading us to a car-crash Brexit. Ministers must come before the House to explain this dramatic and worrying change of heart from Toyota.

"We must see the written assurances ministers first gave the car company, and we must hear whether ministers can still assure manufactures that Britain will continue to enjoy full and unfettered access to the single market and customs union post-Brexit.

"These are real jobs and real homes of real people under threat because ministers still don’t have a coherent negotiating position.

"If major companies such as Toyota are worried, the British people should be worried. That is why the Liberal Democrats, alone among the major parties, will fight to the very last ditch to stay in the single market and customs union."

Back in March, when Toyota made the announcement about the investment, president and chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe Johan van Zyl said: "Continued tariff and barrier-free market access between the UK and Europe that is predictable and uncomplicated will be vital for future success."

Responding to the comments from Mr Leroy, a Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy spokesman said: "Our automotive sector is one of the most productive win the world and Toyota’s decision in March to invest £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant in Derby, with £21 million of additional Government support, was a further demonstration of this.

"The Government has been clear that we believe an interim period in in the interests of both the UK and the EU, providing certainty to businesses and citizens, and ensuring we avoid any cliff-edge as we move to our future partnership.

"We want the UK to have the greatest possible tariff and barrier-free trade in goods and services with our European neighbours and we are confident that we can achieve this aim."