A Tata Steel spokesperson said: "We have received written confirmation from Unite Union that with immediate effect they are suspending their current action short of a strike as well as the proposed strike action due to commence on Monday 8 July.

"As a result, and given we can now be confident of ensuring appropriate resourcing of activities to operate safely, we will halt preparations for the early cessation of operations on Blast Furnace 4 and the wider heavy end in Port Talbot, planned for this week - we welcome the fact that we have avoided having to progress down this path.

"The resumption of discussions with the UK Steel Committee will progress from the position reached in the last meeting of 22 May and will focus on the future investments and aspirations for the business, and not on a renegotiation of our existing plan for the heavy-end closure or the enhanced employment support terms.

"The wind-down process for Blast Furnace 5 has now begun to plan and we expect to produce its final iron at the end of this week."