THE company behind Cumbria's planned nuclear new build has used its education programme to let children see the proposed development site.

A group of 13 students from Millom School had a three-mile cycle ride guided by NuGen staff which took them to Moorside, near Sellafield.

This cycle tour was offered to the four schools involved in this year’s Bright Sparks programme after teachers, students and parents expressed an interest in discovering more about the Moorside project and its impact on the local area and community.

Students from Whitehaven Academy and St Joseph’s Catholic School in Workington also attended to Moorside cycle tours during July.

Peter Jewell, head of design and technology at Millom School said “We chose the cycle tour because it was a standout activity, I wanted to give pupils the opportunity to get out on bikes and see the site in a real-life situation”.

NuGen’s Bright Sparks 2017 programme has included over 80 students from schools closest to the Moorside Site; Millom School, Whitehaven Academy, St Joseph’s Catholic School and St Benedict’s Catholic School, Whitehaven.

Students have taken part in field visits and lessons, which explored the different ways of producing electricity, how they, their schools and their families use electricity, and the importance of reducing carbon emissions for the future of the planet.

Students also worked on Stem-related projects which they presented at their end of year Bright Sparks Schools’ Energy Conference, and participating students had the opportunity to attain a Silver Crest qualification for their efforts.

Camilla Duncan, learning and development manager with NuGen, was delighted the success of the cycle tours and the student’s reaction.

She said: “The cycle tour is a key element of this year’s Bright Sparks programme and has enabled us to bring the Moorside Project to life for those students who will be most affected by it."

"Our aim was to inspire and enthuse them to pursue a career in Stem and within the energy sector and we have definitely done that,” she added.