PRESERVING the fabric of the Sheerness steel mill is crucial for the long-term future of steel production on the Island.

That's the view of Sheppey and Sittingbourne MP Derek Wyatt who says it is still not too late to find a buyer for the ASW Sheerness site. But he believes it is vital that the mill is not removed or demolished.

The Labour MP is also trying to secure an early Christmas present for the jobless steelworkers by pushing for redundancy payments to be fast tracked through the system. The focus of the MP's attention is now directed at securing the structure of the Sheerness steel mill, where operations have now ceased.

He fears prospective buyers may be put off purchasing the site if they have to spend six months and large sums of money rebuilding the mill if Celsa move large parts of the plant to Cardiff, as they are expected to do.

He stressed: "We don't want it closed. I think we will lose one of the two buyers if it is."

He even went as far as to suggested Government funding be sought to help Celsa construct a new mill in Cardiff if means the Sheerness mill can be spared.