Nuclear reactor shut down after acid leak

A reactor at a nuclear power station in Suffolk has been shut down following an acid leak.

The reactor at Sizewell B has been closed for maintenance after sensors picked up a leak of boric acid.

Officials at the site decided to keep it closed down to carry out work on some of its metal seals.

The seals, which were replaced only 18 months ago, are thought to have been corroded by the acid, which is "largely benign" but which acts as a corrosive on metal.

"There is no cause for alarm," said Sizewell B spokesman John McNamara.

"It has all taken place within the containment area and nothing gets out of there.

"We have powered down the reactor but people are still working there."

The reactor was closed down last Friday, Mr McNamara said, but it was unclear when it would be able to be brought back into operation.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "The reactor was shut down last Friday. It was what we call a planned shutdown.

"There had been some leakage for some time. There was no danger to anyone working there but the plant shut down to find out the cause the leak."