A TEAM of university graduates and students are helping to spread the work about the re-birth of North-East steelmaking.

Multimedia Journalism graduates Thomas Mulliner, 23, from Sedgefield, County Durham, and Araminta Hartley, 22, from Redcar, are working as full-time communications advisors for SSI, in Redcar, after completing year-long placements.

Craig Peacock, 21 from Darlington, and 23-year-old Alice Roberts-Wood, of Lincoln, and are also helping the department on a part-time basis after impressing during a placement year, with Nicola Golding, 22, completing a successful three-month graduate internship, where she helped to compile a history of SSI.

The plant started production again last year after being mothballed by its previous owners, Tata Steel, in 2010, and the communications department was set up with the university to publicise SSI's work.

John Baker, SSI’s public relations and media director, said: “The university's intention to move closer to business is a great philosophy and they do it very well.

“I’ve been very pleased with the placement process, I needed a young, fresh team for the communication department and they are all very committed and enthusiastic.

“I know Teesside University has turned out some very good people and they are excellent examples of the quality of the students.”