Sir Brian Moffat: Announced the 6,000 job cuts in the UK

Only those closest to the work appeared to realise what was happening.

A cloud of dirty dust drifted over Newport town, the only outward sign that steel production was at an end after more than 35 years.

The way in which Corus delivered the news and refused to allow any union action plan to save the plant had left a lasting impression on employees.

One worker lucky enough to find a new job took great pleasure in telling a plant manager that he had found somewhere to go, albeit on less money.

Production worker Peter Heslop said there had been an air of acceptance round the plant for weeks, as colleagues began drifting away to find new jobs.

Because nobody has been told anything about what is happening, it has caused problems

Peter Heslop, production worker

Some face lower paid work as security guards and warehouse workers.

The ripple effect will be felt round the region, as supply and contract companies feel the effects of the 1,300 production job losses.

"Over the last couple of weeks, we have been saying goodbye to colleagues all the time," said Mr Heslop.

"I think everyone had grown to accept the decision, it has been going on for so long. It is one long goodbye. The workers just want to get it over with."

He added: "To be fair to the workforce, they have done their bit to carry on and keep the place going until the end."

Llanwern workers were not told in advance of the decision by Corus

The 57-year-old production worker from Caldicot had spent 18 months applying for early retirement.

He had expected to spend all his working life at Llanwern when he joined in 1966 and endured a bitter strike during the early 1980s, when workers and management saved the plant.

But this time round, Corus had dismissed a union offer to prevent the heavy end from going.

The company's announcement in February that 1,300 jobs would go at the "heavy end" of the plant has caused anxiety in some households, said Mr Heslop.

'Like a family'

"A chap told me just this morning that it has caused rifts in the house, over finance and where he will go. Because nobody has been told anything about what is happening, it has caused problems."

Those anxieties will be put to one side at a farewell party at the staff social club on 20 July, when workers from the blast and cinter plants will bid farewell to one another.

"The worst part of it all is that having worked with people for 20-30 years, we are losing them. They are like a family and at the end of July, a lot of them may never see each other again."

He added: "It will be hard at first, but the community will survive; it might take time, but it will survive."

Production may be over, but parts of the heavy end at Llanwern will continue for a time.

The coke ovens and power plants will operate until next spring and it will be up to four years before the production plant is completely finished with and demolished.