Scunthorpe march for Tata Steel workers Published duration 10 November 2015

image caption Supporters gathered in Scunthorpe's Church Square ahead of the march to North Lincolnshire Council's buildings

Steelworkers have marched through Scunthorpe to protest at the loss of 900 jobs at the local Tata Steel works.

Union leaders, MPs and other supporters joined workers after the October announcement that jobs would be lost.

People from other steel closure areas in Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland and Teesside also joined the march.

A petition containing over 3,000 names was handed to North Lincolnshire Council asking for a reduction in business rates for the site.

image copyright Ben Cade image caption Hundreds of people marched through Scunthorpe

Hundreds of people gathered in Church Square, before marching through the town's streets to a rally outside the Civic Centre.

The industry blames cheap Chinese imports for a collapse in steel prices.

Tata has pledged £3m to help create jobs in the town, with another £6m provided by the government.

image caption The march reached the Civic Centre, where a full council meeting was being held

Steelworker and union rep Charlotte Upton, who helped to organise the event, said: "We've got steel workers from up and down the country here to support us.

"I think the workforce feels good that there's this positive action that they can all get behind to show they care and they want to do something about it."

On Saturday, football fans showed their support to steel workers by creating a "wall of light" with their smartphones during Scunthorpe United's match against Southend.

image copyright ScunthorpeUnited image caption Football fans used their smartphones to show their support for the town's steelworkers over the weekend

Last week Anna Soubry, minister for small business, said during a visit to the plant that she was "determined" to make sure steel continued to be manufactured in Scunthorpe.

Nic Dakin, Labour MP for Scunthorpe, said: "I think we are already seeing a change in the way the government's responding to this.

"There's recognition that something needs to be done. This march will increase the pressure on the local council and the government to take action."