Fifteen sites are in the running to house the UK's first prototype fusion energy power plant and Moorside in Copeland is officially on the list.

The Government has announced today that fifteen potential sites are in the running and the Moorside site neighbouring Sellafield is amongst them.

A Government spokesman said: "Acceptance of these sites into our assessment process does not indicate they are preferred or desired, or that we believe their development is, in all cases, possible – simply that the procedural entry criteria have been met and assessment has now begun."

Nuclear fusion has been hailed as the "key to the future" by the likes of Stephen Hawking. Small modular reactors are already planned for the Moorside side by a consortium of businesses including Rolls Royce.

The Government spokesman said: "Many sites have adjacent operations, bringing mutual dependencies if STEP were to be developed in those locations.

"No view will be formalised on the potential suitability of sites until the shortlisting phase, which will take place in the autumn."