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Hundreds of Teesside steelworkers will resume work next week as production resumes after being paused due to the coronavirus.

Operations at British Steel's plant in Skinningrove were halted at the start of the month in a move which saw workers put on furlough.

The newly rescued firm announced it was 'pausing' operations at its East Cleveland Special Profiles site initially for three weeks.

It has now been confirmed that around around 300 furloughed staff are due to return to work from Monday.

Operations at British Steel's other Teesside site - the beam mill at Lackenby - were not affected.

The firm employs around 700 across both Teesside sites.

(Image: Ian McIntyre)

The Special Profiles facility at Skinningrove produces steel products for industries such as rail and construction and had been hard hit as orders dried up.

British Steel now says it has "increased confidence" in its ability to produce volumes required at Special Profiles.

British Steel chief executive Ron Deelen said: "Three weeks ago we paused production at our Special Profiles business in Skinningrove – furloughing around 300 employees as we adjusted to the difficult market conditions.

"While the market remains challenging, we now have increased confidence in our ability to navigate our way through this situation and produce the requisite volumes of Special Profiles.

"I’m therefore pleased to confirm these employees are returning to work and production will resume at Skinningrove on Monday."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said has received assurances that those employees returning to work will have the same high levels of protection that British Steel is providing to workers across all its operations, including the provision of face masks, improved cleaning standards, and appropriate social distancing.

He said: “The steeliness in the workers on Teesside means I always knew we could get through this unprecedented situation that we find ourselves in.

“British Steel getting back to work in an appropriate and safe manner is a sign that we will succeed as a region and come back bigger, better and stronger than ever before."

Cllr Mary Lanigan, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "Steel-making is part of our DNA here in Redcar and Cleveland and continues to be a crucial part of our economy so it is a great sign to see workers going back to the fantastic plant at Skinningrove.

"It is a positive step for what is such an important industry dealing with what can be a difficult market and shows the steely determination needed to make sure production continues.

"However, nothing is more important than the health and safety of the staff and we are reassured that the management at British Steel is fully adhering to Government guidance and doing whatever it takes to keep everyone healthy.

"The council will continue to work with industry and everyone across the entire community during this crisis with an eye to building for the future and supporting our businesses."

British Steel - which also operates Scunthorpe blast furnace - was rescued in a takeover by Chinese firm Jingye earlier this year after collapsing under the previous ownership of venture capital firm Greybull.