Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan is backing the Western Mail’s efforts to save the steel industry in Wales.

The paper launched its campaign after steel giant Corus announced plans to close the Llanwern steel finishing plant with the loss of 4,500 jobs.

It fears the move would kill the steel industry in South Wales in the biggest blow to the Welsh economy for 20 years.

In a letter to the paper, Mr Morgan said: “I am giving my 100 per cent support to the Western Mail campaign to retain steelmaking at Llanwern and to save jobs at steel finishing plants in other parts of Wales.

“The campaign has hit the right note with its appeal to Corus directors in both the United Kingdom and Wales.”

The Welsh Development Agency has also pledged support for the campaign.

Chief executive Graham Hawker said: “The campaign effectively emphasises the importance of the industry to the Welsh economy and the impact any mothballing or closure would have on communities throughout Wales.”

The Western Mail’s latest activity in the campaign was to travel to London to question Corus chiefs on the future of the plant.

Executive director Frans-Willem Briet is one of seven directors who will make the decision on the plant in February.

He told the paper: “Your articles focus on fact that the only problem is the strength of the pound against the euro. But this is not the only problem, because it is about the whole of the steel industry. It’s not just short term issues we are concerned about.”

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