EDF has moved to allay fears that Hinkley B wouldn't be able to shut down in an emergency.

It was reported by the BBC that the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) had concerns over possible fractures in the graphite bricks which were used in the construction of the reactor.

The graphite bricks are in the keyways that would lock together the core of the power plant if a natural disaster, such as an earthquake was to happen.

The data was gained from a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC, and within it, it stated the ONR was concerned the graphite would not be able to lock together in an emergency.

However, EDF has said the fractures pose no risk to safety, to the public or to the power plant, and it is still on schedule to be producing power until 2023.

Speaking to the County Gazette, Brian Cowell, EDF Energy’s director of nuclear operations, said: "The graphite in our reactors is behaving exactly as experts predicted it would, underlining our confidence to operate the stations safely to 2023 and beyond.

"Nuclear safety drives everything we do.

"This means we work within very large safety margins. This applies to graphite bricks too.

"The level of cracking which is considered reasonable is far below anything which would affect the reactor’s safe operation.

"It is accepted by our regulators and materials experts that cracks will occur in some of the bricks as part of the normal ageing process.

"Observations from our comprehensive inspection programme were anticipated and are in line with our understanding, so our view of the best estimate lifetime planning date of 2023 for Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B has not changed.”

The Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire also has similar problems, but the ONR has since agreed the stations can continue operating safely after modifying the reactor shutdown process to include introducing super-articulated control rods that can more easily bend down any distorted channels.

It is not suggested in the report that Hinkley C, which was given the go-ahead after months of controversy earlier this year, will be affected by the graphite bricks, or if they are being used in the construction.