A SENIOR Tata Steel boss is understood to be eyeing a potential buyout of the company’s Port Talbot works.

Stuart Wilkie, managing director of Tata’s Strip Products, is believed to be canvassing workers about joining a bid.

Sources close to the plant say staff could be asked to put up to £10,000 towards the move, though private investors and Government support would also be needed.

Indian firm Tata is looking to sell its loss-making UK assets, including the Hartlepool pipe mills, which employ about 600 workers.

However, it has not confirmed the names of interested parties for its works, which if closed, would lead to thousands of job losses across the country.

Last week, Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, raised the prospect of Government involvement in the sale, telling the Commons Downing Street could take on debts to find a buyer for Tata’s plants.

However, Tom Blenkinsop, MP for Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland, said ministers must not get preoccupied with the cash element of any deal, saying they must look at training and research and development investment to give the steel industry a future.