BYLEY risks being struck by the equivalent of a 'small nuclear explosion' if a planned gas storage plant goes ahead.

That is the claim being made by protest group Residents Against the Plant, which has fought the proposed development at every step.

They were speaking in the week that the £100m site was sold by ScottishPower to the company that runs Powergen.

The controversial plant will comprise eight salt caverns under Drakelow Lane in Byley capable of storing a total of 165 million cubic metres of North Sea gas.

It was approved by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott despite reservations from Government inspector Robert Lyons and a petition opposing the project signed by 10,000 people.

RAP spokesman Dr John Edwards said: 'In the last year alone, three huge explosions have struck exactly similar plants in Texas. Last August, flames of 150-200ft erupted from a salt-mine based facility - comparable to the heat and fire levels at Nagasaki and Hiroshima. And in March, 15 people were killed and another 170 injured at a similar refinery explosion.

'The danger is clear and present.' Two recent developments seem to have confirmed the plant will open despite his group's protests. On July 12, Cheshire County Council's Development Regulatory Committee granted Holford Gas Storage, a company set up and owned by ScottishPower, permission to store substances at Drakelow Lane.

Then on Wednesday, E.ON UK - the owner of Powergen - announced it has bought Holford from Scottish-Power for £96m.

Anne Benson, of ScottishPower, said: 'We took this decision based on an offer E.ON made for Holford early in 2005. Holford is just an operating name we set up in 2003, which came in handy when we needed a company to secure legal approval.'

Rebecca Middleton of E.ON UK said: 'The deal has been ongoing for some time and we are committed to making the site work.'