THE wife of a Teesside steelmaker has launched an online campaign to fight for the survival of the industry in the region.

Zoe Burey, from Redcar, has set up a Facebook page and separate petition to save SSI UK’s Redcar operations.

Mrs Burey said her husband, father and brother all work at the plant, and was moved to do something after seeing the potential impact the business’ closure would have on Teesside’s employment landscape.

The Facebook page, Save Our Steel on Teesside, has already gained more than 10,000 ‘likes’, with the petition attracting nearly 7,000 signatures.

She said: “The situation is horrendous; I’ve spoken to so many people about it who have told me how they will be affected.

“A lot of families are dependent on the wage of a steelworker.

“There’s one person who has a £230,000 mortgage and is moving into a property next month, and I’ve spoken to another person who is 61 who said there’s nothing else in this area because he only knows the steel industry.

“It would be heartbreaking for everyone, so that’s why my job is to get the message as far and wide as possible and get as many signatures as I can.

“It’s pulled everyone together and we’ve had support from around the world on the Facebook page from people in South Africa and Australia.

“It’s doing really well and letting our voices be heard.

Mrs Burey added she is in the process of getting another petition approved by the Government, while she has also written to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his support and sent emails to local MPs urging their backing.

People can ‘like’ the Facebook page at facebook.com/saveredcarsteel and sign the petition at ipetitions.com/petition/save-steel-making-on-teeside