ELON Musk has been invited to build a Tesla factory at the soon-to-be-vacant Honda site in South Marston.

Councillor Dale Heenan tweeted the world's second richest man last night, flagging the opportunity for his company when Honda leaves Swindon in the summer.

He included a gif of a train built in Swindon - now known as the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films - as proof of what the town can achieve.

SpaceX entrepreneur Mr Musk is the world's second richest man with an estimated net worth of £120 billion.

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Council leader David Renard has also written to Mr Musk at his California address, saying the biggest selling point is the "extremely productive" 5,000-strong workforce from Honda-owned companies and suppliers.

Coun Heenan tweet said: “Swindon, UK would like to invite @elonmusk  to consider the home of the steam engine trains for future @Tesla  factories using the massive Honda  site that closes mid 2021.

“GWR 5972 Olton Hall, Hogwarts express was built in our town. #thefuturetoday.”

He followed that up with a picture of the letter sent to Mr Musk at the Tesla company in Palo Alto California.