BARROW'S shipyard is at 'very great' risk of flooding in the near future, according to a report. 

Findings by the Nuclear Consulting Group suggest BAE's shipyard would be left 'profoundly vulnerable' to flooding from sea-level rises due to the impact of climate change. 

It claimed the shipyard was among nine nuclear sites that are threatened by the possibility of increased rainfall and a rise in sea levels.

The report is based on models predicting sea levels in 2050 following the effects of climate change.   

The Government and BAE bosses have stressed sites like the shipyard are prepared for the potential effects of climate change.

Writing in the report Dr Paul Dorfman, the chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group think tank, said: "Present UK coastal military nuclear infrastructure is profoundly vulnerable to flooding from sea-level rise, storm intensity and storm surge – with inland nuclear facilities also facing inundation and flooding.

"Ministry of Defence and nuclear regulatory mitigation efforts will become obsolete, and sooner than planned.

"In other words, UK nuclear military bases are set to flood."

The next generation of Trident nuclear submarines are being built in Barrow, alongside the Astute hunter-killer boats.

And raising concern about the shipyard, Dr Dorfman warned: "Despite the key role the shipyard plays in the UK nuclear military enterprise, climate change (even in lower-mid range projections) will challenge the utility and viability of the facility due to the combined impact of future sea-level rise, storm surge and flooding."

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “We are aware of the content of this report, which is based on a worst case scenario.

"The Ministry of Defence is not complacent when planning against any emerging threats, including the potential effect of climate change, for all our capabilities.”

A spokesman for BAE said: "Alongside our partners, we constantly review the range of robust plans that are in place to deal with any emerging threats, including the potential threat of climate change."