Steelworkers have drilled the final hole in the last remaining blast furnace in Port Talbot, bringing to an end the traditional method of steelmaking in south Wales. Tata Steel removed the last usable liquid iron from blast furnace 4 - which will eventually be replaced with electric arc furnaces - on Monday afternoon.

Traditional steelmaking has come to an end but Tata Steel bosses insist it is only a matter of time until a greener operation is underway. | ITV News Wales

Tata Steel UK chief executive Rajesh Nair said he is conscious of how ‘difficult’ it will be for everyone as production comes to an end.

The UK’s largest steelworks will halt production today after over a century, resulting in thousands of job losses across South Wales. Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant will shut down Blast Furnace 4, the last furnace in operation, around 5pm, with the final steel produced late on Monday evening.

The process of winding down operations at the final blast furnace has been underway for a number of days. Tata had warned residents they should expect 'whooshing' sounds and plumes of steam. Tata confirmed the last blast furnace at the site would be switched off, along with the remaining heavy-end operations on Monday, September 30.

The UK's biggest steelworks - a factory where steel is made using traditional methods - has shut down production after more than 100 years, leading to thousands of job losses across South Wales.

The Welsh First Minister has defended the UK Government’s efforts in negotiating a better deal for workers at Tata Steel.