Liberty House has launched a major recruitment drive to find employees for its new steel plant facilities in Lanarkshire.

The metals and industrial firm purchased the two steel mills in Dalzell and Clydebridge from Tata Steel in April.

The company said it hopes to employ some ex-Tata workers who lost the jobs when the plants were mothballed in October 2015. However, applications are open for those looking to join the industry for the first time.

The first stage of recruitment aims to fill one hundred positions, including apprenticeship opportunities, with further growth expected in 2017.

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Liberty House is also aiming to restart production at in mid-September, with the plants supplying steel plate to various industries including ship building, heavy vehicle manufacture, renewable energy, construction and civil engineering.

Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown welcomed the announcement.

He said: "I am delighted to see these plans for recruitment and the resumption of steel production at Dalzell and Clydebridge, following the concerted efforts of the task force involving unions, local authorities and the Scottish Government. It is testament to the hard work of everyone involved and fantastic news for both the local communities and Scotland's steel industry."

Jon Bolton, chief executive of Liberty's new plate division, added: "This moment marks a significant milestone in the process of bringing the steel business in Scotland back to life.

"It is a just reward for the dedication of the skilled workers who had to leave the business and it also presents an opportunity for new employees to join the Liberty family."

(LM)