Bradwell power station: Residents protest against plans

Protesters are opposing the plan for a new nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Sea

About 300 people took to a beach and kayaks to stage a protest against plans for a new nuclear power station in Essex.

Chancellor George Osborne announced the plan to build a Chinese-designed power station near a former plant at Bradwell-on-Sea.

The new plant is said to be large enough to supply energy to 1m homes.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change said the government was working on development of the project.

A spokesman said: "The Bradwell-on-Sea site is subject to the wider ongoing negotiations about the potential nuclear site Hinkley Point C (in Somerset).

Protester George Britton said power should come from wind turbines and solar power rather than a nuclear plant

"The UK government is continuing to work with power generator EDF to finalise the (Somerset) commercial project. The deal must represent value for money and is subject to approval by ministers."

Sophie Weaver, a resident of the West Mersea district who helped to organise the protest, said residents wanted some action to show the government how strongly they opposed the Essex plant.

"Alongside the action and protest like this there will be a lot happening behind the scenes," said Ms Weaver, of the Fight Against Action group, founded to mobilise anti-nuclear campaigners. "People will continue to petition parliament and write to MPs."

George Britton, 18, from Mersea, said: "Nuclear isn't the way to go. We have a terrific wind turbine farm and we have more than enough solar power."

Daisy Crossman said: "It's never too late to get your voice out there, especially when you feel very strongly about something."

The former power station, on the Blackwater estuary, stopped operating in 2002