Two papers in South Wales are teaming up to raise cash to help the families of victims of the explosion at Port Talbot’s steel plant.

The South Wales Evening Post, and its sister paper The Courier, have set up the Steel Blast Appeal to give readers a chance to help.

The appeal has been given a kick-start by the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, which handed over £10,000.

Post editor George Edwards said: “Everybody has a relative or knows somebody working at the plant.

“We want to do all we can to help the victims, their families and support the tremendous work of Morriston Hospital’s burns unit which has responded so magnificently.”

Corus, the operator of the plant, is also deciding how to respond to the appeal and is expected to start its own welfare fund as well as channel cash to the burns unit, one of the most advanced in the UK.

Courier production editor Jayne Thomas said: “We are delighted and grateful for the help of Swansea NHS Trust chief David Williams in organising the appeal.”

The papers plan to list people and organisations which contribute to their fund, which will split the proceeds between families of the victims and the hospital burns unit.

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