Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

The government has also welcomed the news that Greybull Capital is to buy the Scunthorpe steelworks.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Today's announcement is a step in the right direction for the long-term future of British Steel manufacturing in Scunthorpe. 

"This agreement wouldn't have been reached without the efforts of all those involved especially the high-skilled workforce and local management. 

"We will continue to work with Tata and Greybull and, as we have said, stand ready to provide funding on a commercial basis if required." 

Reacting to the deal which will save Scunthorpe's steelworks, Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union, said the buyer Greybull Capital, had recognised the site as a good investment. 

He said: "Greybull's interest in the business is testament to the skills, experience and commitment of UK steelworkers and demonstrates that with the right investors UK steel making can have a positive future.

"So far, Tata Steel has honoured its commitment to be a responsible seller of the business by allowing time for the deal to be done. 

"There are still crucial steps to be taken to complete the deal and all parties involved need to retain their focus towards achieving the objective of securing the future of Long Products."  

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

Union members at Scunthorpe are currently being balloted on whether to accept a 3% cut in pay and reductions in pension contributions for a year to smooth the path for the Greybull Capital deal 

The result is due next week.

Dave Hulse, national officer of the GMB union, said: "Our members must be congratulated for their pure determination in campaigning over the last two years. Their efforts were a major factor in the success of the sale." 

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

Greybull Capital is arranging a £400m financing and investment package as part of it's agreement to take on Tata's Long Products division.

The sale covers several UK-based assets including the Scunthorpe steelworks, two mills in Teesside, and the ports operation in Immingham.

The Long Products Europe business employs 4,800 people - 4,400 in the UK and 400 at a mill in northern France. 

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

It's being reported that Greybull Capital - which has just agreed to buy the Scunthorpe Steelworks from Tata - will rename the firm British Steel.

Martin Foster from the Unite union says he's happy to see the name return. 

He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "The future is bright and it's going to be British Steel which is brilliant. 

"We're hoping to see further investment to make us more efficient and I'm sure that will come."  

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

We've just heard from Martin Foster from the Unite union - who's at the plant this morning. He says the Greybull Capital deal has "saved the town".

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire about the deal he said: "It would take a major catastrophe for it now to not go ahead. 

"If this was to disappear the town would have disappeared with it."

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

We've just had the statement from Tata's top bosses welcoming the deal with Greybull Capital.

Tata says it's sold the Scunthorpe operation for a "nominal consideration" in exchange for Greybull Capital "taking on the whole of the business, including assets and relevant liabilities".

Image source, Tata Steel

Hans Fischer, Chief Executive of Tata Steel's European operations  (pictured) said: "Under these current challenging market conditions in Europe with the soaring levels of imports from China we are happy that Tata Steel UK and Greybull Capital have entered the final stage of completion of the sale of shareholding in Longs Steel UK.

"This transaction will offer a future for the Long Products Europe business and its 4,400 employees in the UK."

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

The Tata deal hinges on a vote which is currently under way.

Unions have been asked to accept reduced pay and pension arrangements.

The ballot closes on 19 April - most industry commentators expect the unions to accept the deal.

The deal's been done. Tata Steel has agreed to sell the Scunthorpe Steelworks to investment firm Greybull Capital.

It follows months of negotiation.

It's a deal which could safeguard 4,000 jobs in the town and thousands more in the supply chain and local economy.

Unions still have to vote on whether to accept reduced pay and pension arrangements. 

That ballot doesn't close till 19 April. 

BBC Travel

If you're heading to or from the coast today via Wragby beware as those ongoing roadworks to replace a collapsed sewer are causing delays again.

BBC Radio Lincolnshire

If you recognise any of this group, police in Skegness want to hear from you.

The group of two men and three woman are wanted in relation to a theft at the Co-op in Roman Bank in Skegness.

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

The incident happened at around 20:40 on Good Friday, 25 March, and alcohol, toothbrushes and household goods were stolen.  

BBC Radio Humberside

A man has been treated for multiple facial injuries after being attacked by five people in Grimsby.

Police think the 31-year-old victim was attacked at around 05.40 on Saturday morning in the Alexandra Road area of the town.

Image source, Google

He was initially taken to Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, before being taken to Hull Royal Infirmary.

The victim was later arrested on prison recall and remains in custody at this time.

David Sykes
Reporter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Life-saving machines like this are available to community groups for just £1,000 after a deal was struck with suppliers.

East Midlands Ambulance Service has negotiated the discount for rural communities who are a long way from emergency assistance.

Here's Steve Pratten from EMAS demonstrating one that's been installed in Welton le Marsh.

Barbara Stimpson
BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Here are the top stories from our Lincolnshire newsroom this morning: 

• Workers at Tata in Scunthorpe waiting for announcement over plant buyout
• Call for county farmers to be treated more fairly in deals with supermarkets
• New deal to bring more community defibrillators to rural Lincolnshire

BBC Look North
East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Here's Owain with all the weather details for today and tonight:

BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Firefighters from Spilsby were in action last night: 

David Sykes
Reporter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire

The group behind plans for Lincoln's new mosque say anti-Islamic posters put up around the construction site won't deter them.

The Islamic Association of Lincoln has so far raised £1.25m towards the building with another £200,000 required to complete the building.

The association says progress on the project has gone slower than expected.

And while the posters have gone up, most members of the community in the Boultham area of the city, where the mosque's being built, have been supportive.

Owain Wyn Evans
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

Here's how it;s looking this morning - make the most of the sunshine if you can:

Melvyn Prior
Presenter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Kevin Simm who won The Voice on BBC1 at the weekend will be joining me on the programme later. Kevin, who used to be in the band Liberty X, was crowned on Saturday night and has released the winner's single.

Martin Slack
BBC Lincolnshire Live

Here are the top stories from our Lincolnshire newsroom this morning:

• Deal said to be hours away for buyout of Scunthorpe steelworks
• Man dies after crash on A1 near Grantham
• Fundraisers need £200,000 to make Lincoln's new mosque a reality