Andy Street has spoken out after reports that a huge Chinese firm is on the brink of investing in a gigafactory in Coventry.

The West Midlands Mayor said there are talks with "a number" of global battery companies.

But he said details of the discussions have to stay under wraps.

The West Midlands Gigafactory also said talks with a range of firms are under way.

It comes a day after the Sunday Times reported a huge battery firm is on the brink of putting in billions to the project at Coventry Airport.

According to the paper, EVE Energy, which makes batteries for BMW, is in "advanced negotiations" to build a plant at the site, creating thousands of jobs.

But the potential £1.2 billion investment depends on government help in the form of multi-million pound subsidies, the paper said. The Sunday Times also reported that Mr Street, who is up for election in May, had played an important role in arranging conversations between the different groups.

The West Midlands Gigafactory already has planning permission (image via Coventry City Council)

Speaking today (March 25), the mayor said: "Whilst I will not provide a running commentary on ongoing commercial negotiations, it is an established fact that Coventry Airport is the only site in the UK with planning permission for a Gigafactory – sitting within the West Midlands Investment Zone. 

"It is also an established fact that we are in discussions with a number of global battery manufacturers about the future occupancy of the site and the nature and progress of these conversations has to remain confidential.

"The West Midlands is the UK's automotive heartland, and the logical home for the country's next Gigafactory. We are all working incredibly hard to make that happen, as part of the wider plans to create a UK Centre for Electrification and Clean Energy (Greenpower Park)."

Plans for the gigafactory at Coventry Airport have been brought forward in a joint venture by Coventry City Council and the airport's owners. In a statement today, the West Midlands Gigafactory said: "We do not comment on media speculation.

"Based in Coventry, West Midlands Gigafactory is the only available site in the UK that sits within an investment zone and has planning permission for a large-scale battery manufacturing facility. We are in discussions with a number of global battery manufacturers, but these remain confidential."