The University of Central Lancashire is to link up with the newly-formed National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) to train nuclear scientists of the future.

New courses will develop the workforce to drive through the next generation of power stations and deal with the problem of disposing of nuclear waste, as well as using its research department to help the industry tackle these issues.

The Evening Post revealed how NNL is to set up a research lab at the Springfields site in Salwick, near Preston.

Graham Baldwin, pro-vice chancellor for the university's nuclear courses, said it wanted to become the country's "lead university for nuclear".

He said: "There has been a degree of uncertainty hanging over the future of nuclear energy but now we have this nuclear renaissance we have a wealth of opportunity, including skills in decommissioning old stations, building new ones and dealing with waste.

"UCLan has been selected by the National Skills Academy Nuclear to run foundation degrees which we believe are the building blocks for a career."

NNL managing director Dr Peter Bleasdale said UCLan would be "a key partner" in developing a skills base in the region.

He said: "We are getting ever closer with the university on the issue of nuclear and are talking about looking to grow our involvement and the range of courses they provide.

"There will be a whole range of skills which the nuclear industry will need and we see UCLan as a major contributor to that."