WHEN Graham Taylor left Blackfyne secondary school in Blackhill, near Consett, County Durham, at 16, his family told him he would need a trade.

His father, Stan, worked at the town’s British Steel plant along with his brother, uncles and cousins.

So when he followed suit and started a four-year apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, he thought he was starting a job for life.

But in September 1980, two-and-a-half years into his chosen career, Mr Taylor was told the plant was closing, putting 3,600 people out of work.

He said: “Steel was the life and soul of Consett and it affected so many people.

“It was pretty grim and the last day was shocking. It was like the town had died.”

Fortunately for Mr Taylor, the company agreed to honour his apprenticeship and he transferred to its Teesside plant.

He said: “We were guaranteed our apprenticeship but it was pretty uncertain after that.

Would we be kept on? Would we have a job? We knew there was nothing in Consett.”

Nearly 30 years later, Mr Taylor is a maintenance engineer at Corus Redcar – and once again facing losing his job.

The 47-year-old, who lives in Bridgehill, Consett, with wife Ruth, said: “It is a hard time. I have a lot of friends down there now and I feel it for them as well as myself. It is a big blow for everyone.

“I think everyone’s job is uncertain. No one really knows what is going on.

“I will have to look for another job but, until they say what is happening, we are stuck in limbo. It is a hard time for everyone.”

Closure of the steelworks on Teesside would bring back bitter memories for many men who worked at the Consett plant.

“Teesside is a good plant and they make good steel,”

said Mr Taylor. “We have supplied the consortium for five years and had no complaints. They’ve made a lot of money and enjoyed the good times. It is like a kick in the teeth, that is the general feeling.”