London lawyer Vera Baird, the woman planning to step into Mo Mowlam's shoes as MP for Redcar, is experiencing a baptism of fire.

The prospective parliamentary candidate has been tackling issues affecting the constituency as a result of redundancies announced by Corus and shipbuilders Cammell Laird.

Earlier this week Ms Baird met Stephen Byers, Secretary for Trade and Industry, to ask for urgent help in retraining the 234 steel workers who will lose their jobs by the beginning of June.

She said: "This is not anything to undermine the union's position, but is back-up for them."

In response to an announcement by receivers that 110 workers at Cammell Laird will be made redundant, Ms Baird will be chairing a campaign group aimed at preventing the disappearance of shipbuilding from the banks of the River Tees.

A meeting was being held today at Eston Town Hall to launch the campaign. Its main aim will be to ensure that a buyer is found who wants the company as a going concern and will continue to repair ships on the Tees and safeguard the jobs of its highly-skilled workforce.

Ms Baird said: "It is inconceivable that the Tees will not have a ship repair facility. I expect to have positive news to present to the meeting."