Steelworkers are to discuss industrial action today after the country's biggest steel firm was accused of ''industrial sabotage'' by pressing ahead with thousands of job losses.

The multi-union steel committee is holding a meeting at the Lackenby coil plate mill, Teesside, today to discuss the decision by Corus to reject plans aimed at saving some of the 1,000 jobs due to go on Teesside.

The 234 workers at the mill are expected to attend the meeting to share their views on what action they should take over the job losses.

Although there will be no vote on industrial action at the meeting, it will be discussed as a future possibility.

A plan to safeguard the future of the Llanwern factory in South Wales was rejected yesterday following a similar decision affecting Teesside earlier this week.

In total, more than 6,000 jobs are due to go.

The general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, Michael Leahy, said: "Corus never had any intention of working with us to save plants and jobs."

The meeting to discuss further action by the steelworkers comes on the same day as 110 other Teesside workers lose their jobs as the Cammell Laird shipyard closes.

Workers at the Teesside mill will be among the first victims of the national cutbacks which were confirmed on Tuesday.

Tony Poynter, chairman of the multi-union steel committee on Teesside, said: "People are very worried and nervous. Others feel betrayed and are angry."

Despite the bad feeling towards the company, Corus is still pressing ahead with its annual steel gala celebration, which falls the day after the last shift finishes at the Lackenby mill.

The decision was taken after discussions with the unions who thought those workers who paid for the event throughout the year would want it to continue.