Around 400 workers will be employed at the ex-ASW plant

Allied Steel and Wire (ASW) closed its Cardiff operation in July last year, making a total of 800 workers redundant.

But the new owner of ASW, Spanish firm Celsa, has announced that it will employ half that number - around 400 workers - when it resumes production at the Tremorfa works next month.

It is believed around 200 contractors will also be taken on.

It's very important that Celsa re-employs as many former workers of the ASW plant as possible Michael Leahy, ISTC union

A large number of ex-ASW workers have already been invited for interview to take up posts in the new Celsa-run plant.

Celsa Group controller Juan Carlos Orozco said: "We will go ahead with production in Cardiff.

"We think we will be able to produce 100,000 tonnes billet - which is transforming scrap metal.

"We will take on 400 people."

In a statement, Celsa added: "Grupo Celsa now looks forward to a long and productive relationship with Wales and its people."

Interviews

Steelworker Peter Georgeadis, 52, of Cardiff, is among the workers to be interviewed this week.

He said: "We were expecting a few more than 400 to be employed, but they are using a large amount of contractors.

"It's a positive thing, 44 jobs are better than none at all.

"I've got an interview on Thursday, and I've spoken to a number of other ex-ASW workers who've also been asked in.

"I'd like to go back, but I'm not building my hopes up after everything that's happened."

Barcelona-based Celsa, which bought ASW in January, announced in April that it was to make a "significant expenditure" on the plant ahead of making a final decision on whether to restart production.

There were fears that steelmaking had ended in Cardiff

Workers did not know how many would be re-employed before Wednesday's announcement that production would definitely restart in July.

Celsa announced it is planning to produce 100,000 tonnes of billet which is a large slab of steel which has been made from scrap metal after it has been put through a furnace.

Celsa has not yet announced how many of the ex-ASW employees will be among the new staff.

But Michael Leahy, General Secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) union, called on Celsa to re-employ as many of the former ASW workers as possible.

He said: "We welcome the announcement by Celsa to re-open the plant.

"It's great news for the local community and our members who have suffered greatly recently.

"We will be seeking talks with the company to explore how we can work together to make the plant a success.