WEST Cumbrian MPs Sue Hayman and Jamie Reed are calling on the Government to save Workington's Tata steel plant.

It follows the company's announcement it is to sell off the whole of its UK operation.

There are 225 jobs at stake at the firm's Derwent Howe base if a buyer cannot be found for the company. 

Tata is currently in negotiation with investment group Greybull Capital which is interested in buying its long productION division, which includes the Workington site.

Mr Reed, Copeland MP, has written to Prime Minister David Cameron. 

In his letter, he says: "Tata's site in Workington has been a critical part of the energy coast economy for decades despite facing repeated challenges.

"The facility plays a key role in the nuclear sector in the region and, through work with supply chain businesses in the area and major nuclear partners, helps to maintain and expand the skills base necessary to cement West Cumbria’s place as world leaders in nuclear engineering.

"When the market fails, Government has a responsibility to intervene on the behalf of those communities affected by market failure.

"Communities cannot be left to suffer as a result of Government’s reluctance to intervene.

"The cumulative and knock-on impact of a closure of a facility such as the one in Workington on the local economy would be felt for years to come and the Government has a duty to ensure this does not happen. 

"Affected communities are now looking to Government to provide certainty and stability.

"It is imperative the Government now acts to ensure skilled jobs in the steel industry are retained in those communities with Tata facilities."

Workington MP Sue Hayman has said she will put pressure on the Government to keep the engineering operation open.

She said: "I'll be contacting the minister to find out exactly where those negotiations are with Greybull because the critical thing is for the Workington factory to stay open. So I want to know exactly what the position is with Greybull and put pressure on the Government to ensure the factory in Workington continues to provide the employment it does locally."

Ivan Baldwin, chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster, said: “There are many cluster members – customers, partners and suppliers to the steel industry –  hoping that a secure future is found very soon for the sites owned by Tata across the UK.

"Engineering, fabrication and manufacturing expertise, equipment and experience are vital to West Cumbria and, indeed, to the UK and a thriving and flexible steel industry is critical for the future.

Mr Baldwin, also said that he hoped that investment in the nuclear industry would continue to benefit Tata steel in Workington. 

"The Government needs to provide some clarity about the way forward, but my understanding is that Workington is not a steel production business, but a manufacturing plant and the requirement for that nationally and locally for Sellafield and the new nuclear build remains buoyant. 

"The opportunities for a business like Tata Steel remain positive."

Roy Rickhuss, the general secretary of the steel workers union Community said: "Our worst fear that Tata would announce plant closures has not been realised.

"It is vitally important that Tata is a responsible seller of its business and provides sufficient time to find new ownership.

The GMB union's national officer, Dave Hulse, said: "This is absolutely devastating news for all our members, their families and the local communities.

"Tata has let the whole of the UK steel industry down.

"The Government needs to act now and support the steel industry. We are fed up with the false promises.

"Help is needed now otherwise these communities will never recover from this. Shame on Tata Steel." 

In a statement, Tata said it wanted to sell its UK interests as quickly as possible but there is a potential buyer at the table.

It said: "The company has also been in deep engagement with the UK's government in recent months seeking its support to achieve the best possible outcome for the UK business, within the restrictions of state aid rules and other statutory limits.

"These discussions are ongoing and will continue. Discussions will also continue with Greybull in relation to a sale of the UK Long Products business.

The Government is also involved in the latter discussions."

Tata recently sold two mothballed Scottish steel plants to Liberty House for £1.