(Photo: Teesside Archives)

Luke joined residents in North Skelton at a Land of Iron event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the closure of North Skelton Mine.

At the event, Luke heard from the Tees Components Brass Band, and heard stories from residents about the local mining heritage in East Cleveland. He thanked the team at Land of Iron, and the local community.

Luke said: “Today we remember the North Skelton Ironstone Mine, which closed on this day 60 years ago. The deepest ironstone mine in Cleveland, the closure marked an end for our ironstone mining legacy locally.

“Today, the site remains an important part of our local economy as the home of Tees Components, providing good jobs in advanced manufacturing.

“But we will never forget our mining legacy here which made our communities what they are today. I was proud to be at the launch of the new Land of Iron building and permanent exhibition in Skinningrove last year, which honours that history and keeps it alive for the next generation.”