Bryan Gray, chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), has said he is delighted that the National Nuclear Laboratory has been given the go-ahead.

Last week, the government confirmed that it will establish a National Nuclear Laboratory in west Cumbria. The northwest is already home to more than half of the country's civil nuclear workforce.

Mr Gray described the news as an "excellent example" of national government working with the region and industry to take a decision that is based on the long-term requirements of a "vital" sector.

"This confirmation ... shows that the government has recognised the importance of ensuring the ongoing competitiveness and success of the UK's excellent skills and facilities in civil nuclear research," he commented.

According to the government, the nuclear laboratory will be an international centre of excellence in nuclear research and development.

It will play a key role in cleaning up the existing nuclear waste and will contribute to the creation of a new fleet of power stations.

Last week business secretary John Hutton visited Sellafield to launch the West Cumbria Masterplan, a project that aims to transform west Cumbria into Britain's very own energy coast.