A bomb deactivation unit called a nuclear site in Cumbria after the discovery of chemicals requiring specialized handling.

The chemicals were discovered in a regime inspection at the Sellafield plant.

Sellafield says the incident is a traditional protection factor that risks nuclear protection, but that the site remains “non-operational” while the chemical is discarded.

The substance, known as biological peroxide, is described as “used for purposes in many industries”.

It was stored at the site’s Magnox reprocessing plant, which is separate from the facility’s nuclear operations.

A post on GOV.UK’s online page says: “During a regime inspection of chemicals stored at the Sellafield site, a small amount of chemicals (organic peroxide) was known to require specialized disposal.

“This chemical is used for various purposes in many industries.

“In accordance with established procedures, the Explosives Removal Order (EOD) has been requested.

“The EOD team is now in Sellafield and will dispose of the chemical safely.”

More to come