A MAJOR Teesside employer has won a substantial contract to provide emergency medical and fire services to SSI UK's Redcar steelworks from Monday.

Teesside industrial services business Sembcorp UK, which operates nearby Wilton International, has agreed a long-term contract to provide a round-the-clock emergency response to the recently reopened steelworks, creating at least 12 jobs.

Although both parties declined to reveal wither the exact value or length of the contract, it was disclosed that the sum was "substantial" and the contract "multi-year".

Sembcorp will be recruiting for its emergency response standby team to comply with requirements of SSI UK and underpin the wider Teesside response service.

The organisation already provides emergency response for Wilton, Billingham, North Tees and Seal Sands chemicals parks.

Sembcorp protection Group Operations Manager Peter Burke said "Working alongside the SSI UK team in supporting the start up process for the past two years has been exciting. Our team are proud to have contributed to the return of steel making on Teesside."

Peter Leader, procurement manager of SSI UK, said: "When SSI took over the Teesside steelmaking business we undertook to provide the safest possible environment for our employees and contractors.

"Safety remains our top priority and we are pleased to have placed this order with our near neighbours Sembcorp UK".