Nearly a third of Britain's nuclear power reactors have been out of action due to breakdowns and maintenance. Of the UK's 19 reactors, a total of seven have been shut down.
British Energy, which operates the affected sites, said a "conservative decision" had been taken to close units after safety checks uncovered faults.
By Michael Harrison, Business Editor
Saturday, 24 December 2005
An inquiry was under way last night at the Torness nuclear power station in Scotland after an incident involving fuel rods in one of its reactors.
Anti-nuclear campaigners said the incident was just the latest in a series of problems at the British Energy-owned site and called for the investigation to be wide ranging.
