THE Prince of Wales will visit the region next week to support steelworkers devastated by SSI UK’s Redcar steelworks closure.

Prince Charles will meet the SSI Task Force, which is leading efforts to rebuild the community after SSI’s collapse, which left thousands out of work.

The Prince has experience of SSI’s impact on the region, having visited its former site back in 2011, where he met workers and was given a tour ahead of the blast furnace being relit.

His visit, to The Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, will also see him speak to residents and small business owners, and meet members of the Industrial Cadets programme, a work experience scheme inspired by the Prince during a previous trip to Teesside.

Later in the day, His Royal Highness will take a tour of the new Redcar Joint Cadet Facility, where he will meet young cadets from the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps, before moving on to car parts firm ElringKlinger (GB).

His last appointment will see him visit Kirkleatham Museum, near Redcar, where he will attend a reception for BITC Business Connectors, secondees from business, industry and the civil service who use their expertise for the benefit of the local community.