Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and MPs Peter Gibson and Paul Howell have blasted the owner and management at Cleveland Bridge whose failings led to a 'perfect storm' that brought the company to its knees.

In a joint statement moments after The Northern Echo broke the story, they said:

"We are deeply saddened to learn this evening of the plans to make 30 more employees of Cleveland Bridge redundant with the prospect of the business closing completely once the current productions are complete.

"Our respective offices stand ready to assist those employees who are affected.

"Cleveland Bridge, as a great company, was brought to its knees by a disinterested, callous and detached owner and a very poor senior management team incapable of managing such a prestigious company. A perfect storm that has led the company into this irrecoverable position.

"Over recent weeks we have worked day and night to find any solution that could save the business. Unfortunately despite meeting with numerous potential investors and working with various contractors to give the company a chance it looks likely that this work has been in vain.

"Whilst Cleveland Bridge may disappear, the structures it created around the world and the incredible talent and ability of the workforce will stand as testament to what this region, it’s people and our community stand for."