Gates closed at Thamesteel in Sheerness

A new taskforce will look at the way forward for staff and the steelworks at the troubled Thamesteel plant in Sheerness.

The group has been set up after the firm, employing 400 staff, was put into administration recently.

The aim of the taskforce will be to discuss the next steps, including how to support workers and liaise with administrators to secure the future of the steelworks.

Chaired by KCC cabinet member for regneration and economic development, Kevin Lynes, the first meeting will be tomorrow.

Mr Lynes said: "Clearly this is terrible news and very difficult for the workers, their families and the local economy.

"Since the announcement was made by the administrators, we have been working together with Swale Borough Council in talking to Government and all the key agencies about the situation.

"This is why we have convened a Taskforce to look at the way forward and we have invited all relevant parties to the meeting, including the local MP, to receive an update on the situation."

The move comes after a taskforce was set up to safeguard jobs and build a future for Sandwich after Pfizer announced it was going to pull out of the town in February last year.

The group liaised with government and had the area designated an enterprise zone.