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Nuclear site holds emergency exercise

PA Sellafield nuclear site with the sea behind and taken from a distance away so there are fields clearly visible PA
The exercise at Sellafield, on the west Cumbrian coast, could include warning messages to locals

A safety exercise which simulates an emergency at a nuclear site is taking place.

People who live close to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria may hear the site siren and receive text, email and telephone warnings if they have signed up for them.

If the siren sounds, the gates will be shut and the site placed into lockdown.

Full-scale safety tests have to take place at Sellafield at least once a year and are observed by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

This is a "daylight exercise", but details of timings or the scenario are not revealed in advance.

A Sellafield spokesperson said everyone on site is expected to "respond appropriately and follow instructions".

ONS inspectors will provide feedback and learning points following the exercise.

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