Corus has losses of over �400m

Steelmaking giant Corus has announced that it is to close its plant in Tipton as part of a nationwide restructuring programme.

More than 1,100 jobs are to go at the company's plants throughout the country with immediate effect.

The future of a further 2,200 jobs remains in doubt.

The Tipton plant will be shut down and a rolling mill at Rotherham will be closed resulting in more than 800 job losses.

�450m losses

Another 300 or so jobs will be lost at other Corus sites.

We don't think these decisions should be taken by the company's failed management Iron and Steel Trades Confederation spokesman

The future of the Teesside plant has been left hanging in the balance.

Corus stressed that another 2,200 posts are in jeopardy if the company fails to sell its products in the world market.

Last month the company, which also has plants in Wednesfield, Oldbury, Walsall and Stourbridge, reported losses of more than �450m and the chief executive resigned.

Company chairman, Sir Brian Moffat, has announced he will go next month.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the Amicus union, said: "UK steelworkers are again being asked to pay the price for the failure of Corus management."

A spokesman for the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation added: "We don't think these decisions should be taken by the company's failed management.

"The new chief executive will lose credibility before he has even started his job - he should be looking at things with a fresh pair of eyes."

Corus plans to focus steelmaking on three sites at Port Talbot, Scunthorpe and Rotherham in an attempt to drag itself out of the red.