60th anniversary of world's first nuclear power station

Credit: ITV Border

It was 60 years ago this month, that the world's first nuclear power station opened in west Cumbria.

Calder Hall was opened on 17 October 1956 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as thousands of people gathered to watch the ceremony.

In celebration of the anniversary, an exhibition at the Beacon Museum in Whitehaven has opened.

More than 100 photos documenting nuclear history are on display - telling the tales of the science, the engineering and the people behind Calder Hall.

Thousands climbed on the structure at Calder Hall to watch the opening ceremony Credit: ITV Border

Parts of west Cumbria were shaped by the new industry brought to the area by Calder Hall.

The Mirehouse estate in the town was built to accommodate tradesman working on the power station, and people were allocated houses depending on how senior their role was.

Calder Hall's cooling towers were demolished in 2007 Credit: ITV Border

Calder Hall stopped producing electricity in 2003 and the cooling towers were demolished four years later.