HUNDREDS of former Visteon workers marched on Westminster to protest over lost pensions – a year after they were laid off.

Yesterday, ex-employees of the car parts firm from Basildon, Southend, Canvey Island, London and Northern Ireland descended on the nation’s seat of power.

Starting from the union Unite’s headquarters in Holborn, the former workers made their way to Westminster.

The workers handed in a petition at Downing Street, calling for justice for their pension schemes, after the closure of factories in Basildon, Enfield, Belfast and Swansea.

Angela Smith MP, who addressed the crowd during the march, said the protest went well.

She said: “In Parliament Square, there were cars tooting in support as well. It is important for them to feel support from people.”

The protesters worked for Ford until 2000, when ownership of the four factories was transferred to Visteon UK.

Pensions belonging to the workers were also transferred to Visteon UK, although many had been paying into the Ford pension scheme for more than 30 years.

But their pensions became virtually worthless when Visteon UK when into administration a year ago. The Visteon Pension Action Group is calling on Ford to take responsibility for its former workers’ pensions.

Mrs Smith, who’s dad Pat Evans worked for Visteon, said Pensions Minister Angela Eagle MP told her pensions regulators would check to see if any regulations had been broken.

She added following the next general election, the protesters would be approaching the House of Commons to see if a committee could investigate the problems experienced by the workers. Mrs Smith said: “We want two things – justice for pensions so people can get what they were promised, and we want answers.”