Bradwell Power Station is laying on retraining for 60 employees to help them find work when the nuclear plant shuts in two years' time.

Operations technicians will learn new skills as health monitors to ensure people follow correct procedures when working in radioactive areas.

The programme started on Monday and will last eight months.This major investment in training by the station is welcomed by the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union.

Union regional officer Colin Brown said: "This is a welcome step forward in giving the employees a decent chance to find alternative work. We will be encouraging further schemes over the next two years."

Bradwell human resources manager John Mogg said the scheme was being held at other power stations and had not been introduced because of the announced closure in 2002.

"But it will give workers more flexibility to help them in future."

Maintenance workers and other employees will also have the chance to retrain.

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