Philippe Varin is making his first visit to the Teesside plant

Philippe Varin, the new chief executive of steelmaker Corus, is on Teesside to meet unions concerned about the company's future.

He is also to hold meetings with management and workers as part of the visit.

The future of the Teesside plant, which employs almost 3,000 people, is uncertain after Corus said it no longer required the slab steel it makes.

The company, formed by the 1999 merger of Dutch Hoogovens and British Steel, has already announced it plans to axe 12,000 jobs.

The Teesside operation makes raw steel in slab form for processing into finished products in other plants.

Corus has already announced 12,000 job losses in the UK

Corus says Mr Varin's visit is part of an "educational tour" to familiarise himself with different parts of the company's empire.

Tony Poynter, from the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, said the union wants Corus to be present at a 'steel summit' on Teesside, but Mr Varin has already said he will not be there.

The summit will include industry experts, MPs, trade unions and business leaders.

It will discuss the option for the plant and its workforce.

He said: "The summit is a chance for the workers and people of Teesside to put their feelings across.

"Clearly it would be an opportunity for Corus to put its views forward and would add another dimension to the summit.

"We have to show that we want steelmaking to remain on Teesside and we are determined to do so."

UK ministers have warned that the government will not intervene financially to save the company from further plant closures.