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"A typical week for us on this plant would be about 15,000 tonnes of finished beams."

Plant manager Simon Beaumont

The beam mill was commissioned in 1958, and originally produced steel for the bridge building industry.

The 80s and 90s saw Britain's steel industry fall into steep decline and thousands of jobs went on Teesside, but today the mill is still a major employer in the area, with more than 500 staff.

"A typical week for us on this plant would be about 15,000 tonnes of finished beams or columns and that's into the UK, Europe and we export around the world as well." Plant manager Simon Beaumont shouts above the clash of the mill shoes.

Visitors to the three-day celebrations for the mill's 50th will be able to see an exhibition of the mill鈥檚 history, as well as today's operation, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the plant.

74 year old Dennis Jones started work at the mill even before it had opened. "There was people all over the place years ago. I've noticed that, coming back here. There's not many people seem to be working."

Mick Jones and his dad, Dennis.

His son, Mick, still works at the mill today. He has watched as the technology that now surrounds him has replaced the manpower of his father's day.

"It makes it more efficient, less men working, particularly on my job. There's one man doing a 12 man job now, 'cos of computers and automation."