The editor of the Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough is to chair a steel summit in the hope of finding out what the future holds for the industry in the area.

The Corus steelworks in Teesside has been told that it must stand on its own within the next two years, selling products on the open market and semi-independent from the rest of Corus.

And the decision has left 2,900 Corus workers in the area – as well as 10,000 more whose jobs rely on steel – wondering what lies ahead.

Now it is hoped that the June 1 summit, organised by the Evening Gazette, will provide answers.

Representatives from Corus unions, Redcar & Cleveland Council, government agencies including One NorthEast and Tees Valley Partnership, and local MPs Vera Baird and Ashok Kumar are expected to speak at the event.

And they will also sit on a panel to answer questions submitted by readers via coupons printed in the Evening Gazette.

Editor Steve Dyson said: “This is the chance for the people of Teesside, the workers at Corus and those at other companies affected to find out the latest detail on what’s going on at the steelworks.

“We already have the commitment of local government agencies, MPs, politicians and unions to speak at the conference and these details will be published over the next week or so.

“What we now need is for those affected by the Corus situation to make a date in their diaries and come along and be part of the steel summit.

“It will show the region, the country and the world that we are very proud of our steel on Teesside and we will pull out all the stops and work with Corus to make a go of the future they envisage.”

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