NuGen's Bright Sparks programme launches to find young talent for Cumbria's energy sector

An initiative designed to find the next generation of young people to work in the nuclear and electricity generating industries has been launched in West Cumbria.

"Bright Sparks" is a programme set-up by NuGen, the company behind the planned new nuclear power station at Moorside near Sellafield.

160 schoolchildren from three west Cumbrian schools have spent today getting an overview of the power industry, its impact on the world and finding out about what sort of jobs could one day be available to them.

The event, near Workington, included several interactive displays, allowing them to see how electricity can be generated.

The students were from years 9 and 10 at Whitehaven Academy, St. Benedict's in Whitehaven and Millom School. Three of them explained what they thought of the day:

The CEO of NuGen, Tom Samson, said it was all about trying to get children excited about electricity.

Ross Exton, who gave presentations during the day, said it wasn't difficult to inspire young people about electricity.

The three schools chosen so far are the ones closest to where the Moorside nuclear power station would be built.

More events are planned over the coming months as the search begins for the people who will fill west Cumbria's electricity related jobs in the decades ahead.