CORUS shareholders have applauded a union leader who told executives at the company's annual meeting that its workers deserved better treatment than being sacked.

Eddie Lynch, deputy general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, told shareholders gathered for the company's annual meeting in London that workers were "demoralised and angry" at the 6,000 job losses announced by the company in February, including 1,100 in Teesside.

Mr Lynch told the meeting at TUC headquarters in London: "The workers have improved productivity year on year, yet their only reward is to be dismissed. The company is reducing its capacity below what we believe is a critical mass."

Mick Mannion, vice-chairman of the multi-union steel committee at the Teesside works, said he applauded Mr Lynch's comments.

"My opinion is that they have reduced capacity below a critical mass as well. It is appalling management... when are they going to realise they cannot keep blaming it on the rest of the world?

"The only people they haven't blamed are Bryan Robson and Terry Venables and I think we will be getting round to them soon. They will blame anyone but themselves."

Corus chairman Sir Brian Moffat said in a statement that the company would continue to work with unions to provide retraining and new employment opportunities for workers.

Read more about the fight for steel jobs here.