CUMBRIA Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is "optimistic" about new nuclear for the county.

Energy company NuGen has plans to build a new power plant in Moorside, near Sellafield.

These have been thrown into doubt after Japanese giant Toshiba - which has a 60 per cent stake in NuGen - announced it was "reviewing" its involvement in the project.

It will not give further details until it declares full-year results in Tokyo next week.

NuGen has said Toshiba and ENGIE, its other investor, remain committed to Moorside.

Graham Haywood, director of the LEP, said: “The Local Enterprise Partnership is working very hard with NuGen to help deliver Moorside, and we are optimistic it will go ahead.

“Moorside is a major part of the UK’s energy strategy. It is also very important to the Cumbrian economy, as it would create 14,000-21,000 jobs in the area." He added: “We are making the case to Government for a coordinated infrastructure package to support Moorside, for example by improving railways and roads, and funding a programme of skills development and business support to grow the local supply chain.

"It is important to create the right environment to attract direct foreign investment into the project."