Tata Steel is expected to confirm plans to close two blast furnaces at its biggest UK plant.

The site at Port Talbot is expected to be closed resulting in the loss of around 3,000 jobs.

Unions have criticised the decision to close the site and the impact it will have on the local community.

Community assistant general secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said: “We continue to believe the multi union plan is the best strategy for Tata Steel UK and can avoid compulsory redundancies, protect our steelmaking production capacity, and safeguard the future of Port Talbot and the downstream plants.”

A UK government spokesperson said: “We are determined to secure a sustainable and competitive future for the UK steel sector, which is why we have committed £500 million of UK Government support that will transform the site and protect thousands of jobs, both in Port Talbot and throughout the supply chain.”