PLANS for the clearance of Ebbw Vale steelworks are already in hand - three months before the plant is due to close.

Tenders for the contract to begin demolishing some of the buildings on the site have been invited by Corus, the company has confirmed.

But the potential cost of clearing that site - and the heavy end at Llanwern Steelworks - is not yet being revealed by Corus.

A spokesman said yesterday: "We have invited tenders for the demolition of certain parts of the Ebbw Vale site, but we are not in a position to say which parts. "Nor are we in a position to say when the work will be started or what it will cost."

The Ravenscraig site in Motherwell, Scotland - which closed in 1992 and was on a similar scale to Llanwern - has cost around £30 million to clear so far, though that figure also includes new infrastructure.

The first phase of the work at Ebbw Vale will be to clear the surface of the steelworks, which closes in July.

A second phase would be to clear any toxic waste in voids below the surface. Blaenau Gwent council want the site cleared as quickly as possible, for the regeneration of the town.

It recently earmarked the Corus site as its number one choice for a planned new community hospital and is hoping to meet Gwent Health Authority to put the case. Council leader Councillcor John Hopkins said work should begin immediately after the plant closes in July - and Corus should clear up the mess.

"They owe it to the community. They have had tremendous support from the community in more than 100 years of steelmaking - and it is a small price to pay now, to give people the opportunity to enhance the quality of life."

The clean-up could take up to two and a half years - and the only buildings likely to be retained on the site are the general offices, Lever Hall and the social facilities. Corus is also tight-lipped over the cost of clearing the "heavy" end of the Llanwern site, where the last shift was worked last week.

Demolition has already started there, as well as work to establish exactly what is on the site.

Newport councillor John Jenkins, cabinet member for development and employment, told the Argus that Corus was "certainly responsible" for the clearing up the land before disposing of it.

"Corus will be responsible for the cost of it - the Assembly has been quite clear about that," he added.