ALLEGED security failings at the Sellafield nuclear site in West Cumbria are set to be exposed in a whistle-blower documentary due to air on TV.

Sellafield's Nuclear Safety Failings is listed to be shown on BBC1 tonight at 8.30pm. The Panorama documentary follows an investigation after a whistle-blower made a number of claims about security failings at the site.

The programme synopsis describes the one-off documentary as "a special investigation into the shocking state of Britain's most hazardous nuclear site.

"With a high-level whistleblower, hundreds of leaked documents and exclusive access to former senior managers, reporter Richard Bilton uncovers the truth about Sellafield. He finds an ageing and run-down plant, where nuclear waste is stored in dangerous conditions and insiders fear a serious accident."

In a statement issued today, ahead of the documentary's screening, a spokesman for Sellafield said: "Since being approached in February 2016, Sellafield Ltd and the NDA have been cooperating with Panorama.

“As public bodies, we respond as openly and transparently as possible to public and media interest, whilst recognising that safety and security of the site remain the priority. We have met with Panorama on a number of occasions, given them access to the site, provided them with a substantial amount of written and verbal briefing and appeared in formal interviews on camera for the programme.

“We will continue to work closely with the producers to ensure they have a balanced view of the challenges and good progress being made at one of the world’s most complex nuclear sites.”