The last blast furnace at the giant Tata works will stop producing steel today, marking the end of the traditional method of steelmaking in south Wales. Tata Steel is closing the heavy end of steel production and restructuring its UK operations, making 2,800 workers redundant.

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

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 last remaining blast furnace in Port Talbot will stop producing steel on Monday, ending the traditional method of steelmaking in south Wales. Tata Steel is expected to remove the last usable liquid iron from blast furnace 4 on Monday afternoon.

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.

Photographer Mark Griffiths described his "close connection" to the town, growing up in Port Talbot and having family and friends working in the steelworks or part of the surrounding infrastructure. The 43-year-old said he felt compelled to make a short film called The Beginning Of The End,

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.