CAMPAIGNERS who want to see part Teesside's former steelworks retained for the future have created fresh images of a how a stripped back version of their proposal could look.

The Save our Steel Heritage group, which wants to preserve part of Redcar's blast furnace, part of the former steelworks site, altered its proposals last year to try and convince the Teesworks Board n that keeping just the core of the structure would be a viable alternative to demolition.

A report into how to preserve the site's heritage was published yesterday, with the recommendation made that the blast furnace should be dismantled.

It has suggested salvaging some materials and artefacts, which could be used in memorials or displays on the Teesworks site, or nearby.

Group member Sam Kitchener, a graphic designer who is using the steelworks as the case study for her PhD in using technology to enhance engagement in heritage, created the CGI images to show what it might look like.

Ms Kitchener, who is from Redcar but now lives in Brighton, joined the group last year.

She said: "There is something so inspirational about it. It's a huge source of inspiration for people in the area and has inspired generation after generation, which is why we want to keep the core of the blast furnace.

"We have a unique industrial heritage we should celebrate."

She added: "I've tried to visualise what it could look like. We've never seen it without the surrounding structures but I've come up with an impression of what the core of the furnace would look like.

"The site is adjacent to Net Zero Teesside and its near Coatham Sands. I can imagine in the future there being a public sculpture park."

She came up with the visualising using information from Primetals, the company which built it, and details from Net Zero's plans for the surrounding area.

When stripped of the surrounding structures, it would require an estimated four or five acres of land and would stand at the same height as St Paul's Cathedral.

The group is unsure about how much it would cost but said it would be significantly less than the £35m over ten years, quoted by Primetals, which carried out a survey into retaining the furnace and creating a visitor centre.

Geoff Taylor, chairman of the heritage group, said: "The Primetal report was based on a completely different proposal. We would love to see a report based on what we are proposing."

He added: "The proposal doesn't threaten job creation or hinder business on the site."

A twelve-month demolition and remediation programme is already underway on the Teesworks site, which was brought into public ownership last year.

It is envisaged up to 20,000 jobs could be created on the site, with plans in place for Net Zero Teesside, which it is hoped could create 5,000 jobs and the development of a manufacturing sire for offshore, creating 9,000 jobs.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "I will not let anything get in the way of delivering the investments that are allowing more and more of our former steelworkers to return home and play a huge role in creating a brighter future for Redcar and the whole of the region.”