Corus is poised to axe up to 3,500 jobs in the North-East by closing all its plants on Teesside with the exception of the blast furnace at Redcar, it was claimed last night.

Sources said that the recently-refitted furnace could be the only part of the region's once-great steel industry to survive the shake-up.

If the plan is implemented about 1,000 jobs would survive, approximately a quarter of the current workforce.

Surplus steel would be shipped to Wales, saving jobs in threatened steel mills there.

But steel mills and sites at Lackenby, Skinningrove, Stockton and Hartlepool would all close.

Horrified MPs are preparing to hold a crisis summit when the firm makes its announcement on Monday.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said up to 7,000 people in the North-East could lose their jobs as a direct consequence.

Dr Kumar lambasted the Anglo Dutch company and said nothing the company does would surprise him.

Redcar MP and Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam said she was poised to head up to Teesside early next week to stand alongside other local MPs when the expected announcement from Corus came.

Dr Mowlam told The Northern Echo: "Teesside MPs know our fortunes were built on steel.

"We will continue to fight to make the future case for steel on Teesside."

Comment - Page 8