BOSSES at a Blackburn nuclear engineering outfit have welcomed an £18million government cash injection.

Assystem, based at Innovation Park, is a partner in a Rolls Royce led consortium to build a 'mini' power station.

If construction of the £500million small modular reactor goes ahead it could power up to 750,000 homes.

Tom Jones, vice president of international business development at Assystem, said: "Assystem welcomes this announcement from the Government.

"We are a partner within the consortium, making the preparations for the design of the power station and the development of a small modular reactor industry.

"This early investment in the design phase will be key for the country’s economy as well as its ambition towards achieving net zero and tackling climate change."