Colchester residents have joined the fight against plans to burn low-level radioactive waste at Bradwell Power Station.

More than 200 concerned residents signed a petition in just two days to support the town's campaign. That figure now totals nearly 300.

Sisters Judith and Bridget Searle, who both live in Colchester, are the driving force behind the protest.

They feel they should have been consulted about an application from British Nuclear Fuels to burn nuclear waste and to continue the practice beyond the plant's 2002 decommissing date.

Judith Searle said: "There has been no consultation in Colchester at all. The Environment Agency had no public meeting in Colchester even though we are only ten miles away. There is a huge amount of public feeling."

On Sunday they are planning to drive to BNFL headquarters in Bedford to drop off letters and the petition before today's (Monday's) deadline for objections

Anyone who wants to write must do so by Monday to BNFL/Magnox Consultations, PO Box 446, Bedford, MK42 0ZR, fax 01480 483223 or email bnfl.magnox@environment-agency.gov.uk

Organisers -- sisters Judith and Bridget Searle, with their Bradwell Power Station petition

Picture: NIGEL BROWN

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