A BID to keep the fires burning in the coke ovens of Redcar’s closed steelworks is still alive.

A last-minute plan by County Durham’s Hargreaves Services is being pored over by official receivers.

It means the coke ovens are continuing to burn.

If they stop, they may never work again, with a rescue package crucial to any future for the site.

A spokesman from the Insolvency Service said: “The official receiver is continuing to establish the affairs of the company and discussing the future use of its assets with interested parties.

“Some 650 staff were retained over the weekend to operate the Redcar Coke Ovens and manage the site in a safe manner.

“Staffing requirements are being kept under daily review.

“The ovens continue to be maintained.”

More to follow.