Tours of the former Redcar Steelworks site have already sold out, just hours after they were announced this morning.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has now added another 16 dates for members of the public to take a tour around the historic SSI site before it is demolished.

Over 250 tickets were sold.

The guided bus tours will allow people to see the iconic structures such as the blast furnace and coke ovens, which have been part of the Redcar landscape for generations, up close safely and in line with current social distancing regulations.  

The tours, which will involve former steelworkers and explain the future vision for the site, will take place throughout October and those interested can book now by visiting www.teesworks.co.uk/tours. 

READ MORE: SSI: Tours of historic former steelworks site in Redcar to be offered to public

This comes after it was announced that the Redcar Blast Furnace and Coke Ovens along with other areas of the site would be demolished, creating 300 jobs.

Mayor Houchen said: “After announcing the huge £150m contract to bring down the most iconic structures on the TeesWorks site, including the Blast Furnace and the Coke Ovens and launching the TeesWorks Tours, we have already had to add new dates after over 250 people booked tickets in the first three hours!

“This just shows what this place means to local people, and I am delighted that we are in a position to offer these tours before we begin this transformational work.”

READ MORE: SSI: £150m to demolish Redcar Steelworks, creating 300 jobs