THE names of 76 fallen First World War soldiers have been unearthed as part of the redevelopment of the former Newport Ironworks in Middlesbrough.

The team behind the new Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park (TeesAMP) are working with neighbours TWI to restore the plaque which is inscribed with the names of the town’s fallen heroes who worked at the Ironworks before heading off to battle.

Records show that there were 3,765 recorded First World War war deaths from the local area.

Geoff Hogg of Cleveland Property Investments, who is working with Middlesbrough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to bring TeesAMP to life, said: “This site’s history was always going to be celebrated as part of our redevelopment.

“Newport Ironworks played such a huge part in Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage and it’s important to give these local heroes the respect they deserve by ensuring the commemoration is restored for future generations.”

The plaque had been in storage for some years and has deteriorated as a result, however it will be fully restored so it can once again be displayed in honour of the local men who fought and died in the Great War.

And now, the team behind the redevelopment is searching for relatives of those named.

Mr Hogg said: “We’d love to find out more about those who are honoured on the plaque and invite their relatives to join us in the unveiling.”

As part of the ongoing works, a team from historical consultancy Heritage Unlocked are documenting the site’s industrial heritage.

The project will also see the creation of new educational resources centred on the history of the ironworks – as well as collaborations with other heritage sites and visitor attractions – giving schools, colleges and the general public access to the site.

Dr Tosh Warwick, owner of Heritage Unlocked, said: “It is fantastic that the TeesAMP development has provided the opportunity to create new education and community resources that will enhance access to Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage.

“By engaging the wider community with the site through the use of historic material, including rare iron and steel records from Teesside Archives, we are able to help celebrate the area’s iron and steel industries that have helped shape the world."