51�Թ�

UK Steel director general Gareth Stace described the potential closure as a "gut punch to UK steelmaking".

"The end of steelmaking at British Steel would mean we have a major gap in capacity to meet the future demand of the nation and will be an irreparable break in the armour of national security."

Industry body UK Steel warned the ending of production in Scunthorpe would mean the UK would lose vital steelmaking capabilities, after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds made an offer on Monday to owners Jingye, thought to be worth £500m.

Children from a Scunthorpe primary school are being given a lesson on the town's steelmaking at North Lincolnshire Museum, as Sonia Weber rests on a bench outside.

There are nods to steelmaking everywhere.