MADRID (Reuters) - Thousands of car industry workers staged a protest on Saturday in the northern Spanish city of Valladolid to demand that manufacturer Renault keeps jobs in the region, agency EFE reported.

Workers from Renault's three factories in the Castilla y Leon region, as well as employees from parts suppliers, and other car factories hit by the global downturn marched through the city carrying banners saying: "More work at Renault and suppliers! Defend employment in Castilla y Leon."

Earlier this week, the union CCOO said it had reached a deal with Renault to avoid job cuts originally planned for this year by agreeing to bring forward days off from 2009.

Car manufacturers in Spain are faced with collapsing domestic demand, which Renault said this month would cut sales by 50 percent in the last quarter of this year.

Several car companies have announced lay-offs and stoppages in recent months.

The government has pledged around 800 million euros ($1.6 billion) in aid for the auto sector and unions have said the government will aid to companies which maintain jobs.

Around 8,900 workers are employed at Renault's three factories in Castilla y Leon, which produce the models Modus and Clio.

Around 25,000 people attended Saturday's protest, organisers said but police put the figure at around 8,000, EFE reported.