Talks in bid to solve refinery row

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Les Bayliss, assistant general secretary of Unite, said the talks were going ahead in London after French oil giant Total changed its position following its earlier refusal to meet with unions.

"We will make it absolutely clear that all the sacked workers must be reinstated - this is the only way there is going to be a settlement to this dispute."

Almost 650 contract staff working on a major construction project at the refinery in North Lincolnshire were sacked last week by firms working for Total after a week of unofficial industrial action.

The GMB union is organising the huge demonstration with general secretary Paul Kenny among the speakers.

Banners and placards expressing support for the sacked construction employees have been erected in a car park opposite the huge plant.

Truckers sounded their horns as they passed the plant while hundreds of demonstrators gathered.

On Monday, sacked workers burned their dismissal notices in an act of defiance against the French oil giant.

Phil Whitehurst, of the GMB union, said: "I'm expecting thousands of people from all over the country. The amount of people who set fire to their letters yesterday (Monday) showed what kind of support we have. The boys have made a pledge, they have given me a mandate, we have gone out together and we go back together."

As the workers gathered, one demonstrator was dressed as the Grim Reaper, holding a placard which said: "Grim News, 647 workers sacked".