AN MP tonight called for a rethink on proposed redundancies at Teesport, claiming other workers could be put at risk by the plans.

Teesport operator PD Ports announced last week that around 120 jobs were under threat because of the potential closure of the nearby Corus plant, and its other major client, P&O North Sea Ferries taking part of its operation in house.

Tonight Redcar MP Vera Baird said the proposals would involve around 40 lashers - workers who lash cargo in place on the ships - being made redundant.

Ms Baird was speaking for the first time since being given a new role in the Government, said to be responsibility for industrial activism in the North-East.

"The issue of less well-paid non-EU seamen replacing our lashers in the loading process is worrying," said Ms Baird.

"P&O's proposal is that while local workers load the cargo, non-EU workers who will not be subject to the same health and safety rules will lash the cargo in place on the ship, a job now done by our workers.

"There are real issues in that they may have to work a six to eight hours shift, lashing cargo perhaps after arduous sea journeys already involving long working hours. They are likely to be poorly paid.

"All this can put other workers at Teesport at risk, in that they will be working side by side in this highly dangerous operation, with people whose level of training is unknown.

"Clearly health and safety is at a premium in such a situation."

Ms Baird called for the Health and Safety Executive to examine the issue.

"I am today writing both to them and to Teesport to express the real concerns of the workers," she said.

Teesport and P&O could not be contacted for comment tonight.