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Quinn Glass has defended its position in the legal battle with rival Ardagh Glass over its controversial Cheshire plant that was built without planning permission in a report for the BBC.

In a report aired on Monday night on the BBC's North West Tonight, workers and local politicians at the plant expressed their anger over Ardagh's legal pursuit of Quinn over the plant, which is the biggest in Europe but has never had planning permission.

One worker, David Morgan, told the BBC: "We're making money - we're inundated with orders and it's sour grapes on Ardagh's side. We're angry about the whole dispute - it's my future it's my wife's future and my kids' future."

Ardagh, however, has long argued that the plant, which a High Court judge ruled illegal in May, has given Quinn Glass an unfair competitive advantage in the bottle making and filling market.

Quinn Glass is currently appealing a High Court ruling handed down in May under which it is required to stop production within nine months and demolish unauthorised buildings within 18 months.

The BBC report coincided with a family open day held at the Cheshire site on Saturday. More than 1,000 people visited the facility including local MP Andrew Miller.