Tata Steel workers parade banner at Swansea City game

Port Talbot steelworkers have paraded a banner at the Liberty Stadium ahead of Swansea City's game against Chelsea.

Five workers at Tata Steel, which is to start the formal process to sell its UK plants on Monday, were invited by the club to take the Save our Steel banner around the ground before kick-off.

Swansea City said it was a sign of support during the first home game since the sale announcement.

A spokesman said closure would have a "massive impact".

"We are a Premier League club supporting premier league steelmaking," he said.

Indian owner Tata Steel is selling its entire loss-making UK business. Port Talbot is its biggest UK plant with about 4,000 workers.

Alan Coombs, one of the five men holding the banner, was full of praise for the response from the crowd,

"It was very emotional, walking around the ground and seeing faces in the crowd that you know from the works, and everybody supporting you.

"There was a lump in my throat," he said.

"The Chelsea fans gave us a standing ovation too which was fantastic."

He said as a result of postings on the Swansea City Supporters Trust, there had been interest from other supporters' groups around the country, and they hoped to be able to hold similar events at other venues.

Visiting Chelsea fans joined the standing ovation for the steelworkers