Union leaders yesterday gave the Government details of last-ditch plans aimed at saving some of the 6,000 steelworkers' jobs from the axe.

The Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) contacted Trade and Industry Secretary, Stephen Byers, who has urged steel firm Corus not to go ahead with the redundancies, including 1,100 on Teesside.

The £90m scheme will be put to Corus during a crucial meeting between the company and union officials on Tuesday.

The plan is believed to include the payment of half of Corus's wage bill for the 6,000 workers in return for a stay of execution for a year.

Unions believe the trading position will improve this year, helping Corus to retain capacity at threatened plants, including Llanwern and Ebbw Vale in South Wales and at Teesside.

Corus rejected local union proposals aimed at saving jobs, but has insisted it will study any national plan presented by the ISTC and other unions.

A Corus spokesman said the firm was in discussions with unions and the Government over the retraining of steelworkers and the possible use of European Social Fund money for the areas affected.

''We look forward to the meeting with unions at national level and will study any proposals they may put to us. We do not have a closed mind."