Workers clear uranium from nuclear plant

Workers clear uranium from nuclear plant

The Bradwell plant opened in 1962

Work continues on the closure of one of Britain's first nuclear power plants.

Technicians have begun to remove uranium fuel encased in tubes of magnesium alloy, called Magnox, from the reactor core at Bradwell in Essex.

There are about 40,000 fuel rods in the two reactors at the plant.

They are being removed one by one sent to Sellafield for reprocessing - a process that will take two years to complete.

Removal of the rods takes place under close supervision by control room staff.

Under current plans, the reactor buildings at Bradwell will be mothballed for 90 years, at which time the site will be cleared.

It is estimated that the cleanup at Bradwell could cost up to £500m.