Steelmaker Corus, which employs thousands of people on Teesside, is set to become a member of the prestigious FTSE-100.

It will take its place among the elite shares on Monday, March 18.

Despite the news, its shares still ended the day down p at 79p, following the decision by the US to slap 30 per cent tariffs on imports of steel.

Yasuhiro Yamaguchi, steel analyst at UBS Warburg, said the former British Steel business, would be helped by news of its imminent promotion to the FTSE 100.

Corus was relegated from the top flight in September 2000, following sharp falls in its share price during that year.

Meanwhile transport business Northgate, which has its headquarters in Darlington, is set for promotion to the FTSE-250.