NEWS that former Teesside shipyard workers are finally getting their share of a £2m payout has been welcomed by the GMB.

Jimmy Skivington, the union's former regional organiser for the Teesside area, fought to get compensation for workers at the former Cammell Laird yard, in South Bank, when they were made redundant without proper consultation after the yard went into receivership in April last year. An employment tribunal in January found in favour of the workers.

About 100 of the former staff, among more than 1,000 laid off by the ship repair and conversion company, have begun receiving compensation cheques of about £1,800.

Mr Skivington, now membership development officer for the GMB in Newcastle, said: "No amount of compensation can make up for the way these workers where treated for their loyal service to the company. However, it will tide them over until they find more work, and that might not be that far away.

"Swan Hunter is currently planning a yard on the Tees and A&P could re-open the South Bank yard of Cammell Laird later this year."

A&P is believed to be planning to re-open the yard in either July or August