A TORCHLIT procession to Eston Nab took place to show solidarity for the steelworkers of Teesside.

Dozens of people, including families with young children, and two Teesside Labour MPs, Anna Turley and Tom Blenkinsop, walked to the hilltops at dusk tonight.

The procession was organised by community heritage and conservation group The Friends of Eston Hills following the closure of the steelworks at Redcar after the collapse of Thai owner SSI,and the loss of thousands of jobs.

Friends Co-founder Craig Hornby, who made the popular film on the industry's origins A Century in Stone, said: "The idea was suggested by one of our members, Sheila Nesbitt, and many were keen to support it.

The Northern Echo:

“Emotions are running high and people want to let those directly affected by the closure that the community cares.

“And also, as devastating as it is, it is hugely significant historically and should be marked.

“Barring a miracle, this is the end of the Teesside iron and steel industry after 175 years.

“A hundred blast furnaces once roared along this river fed by some 40 ironstone pits across East Cleveland.

The Northern Echo:

“The industry survived the great depression and continued for many decades as one of the world's leading steelmaking areas.

“Although the industry may now be lost, this community isn't dead.”