Tata Steel are to cut up to 500 jobs from their plants in Scunthorpe, Workington and Teesside, the company has announced.

Announcing the cuts, the company said that management and administrative roles would be affected. With 340 jobs in Scunthorpe at risk, along with 90 in Workington and 40 in Teesside.

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"Prolonged weak demand", has been blamed for the cuts.

"European steel demand this year is expected to be only two-thirds of pre-crisis levels after falls in the past two years," Karl Koehler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said.

Adding: "On top of the challenging economic conditions, rules covering energy and the environment in Europe and the UK threaten to impose huge additional costs on the steel industry."

It is understood that the company will negotiate with workers and unions over restructuring plans.

(MH/CD)