BRITAIN'S nuclear installations are resistant to many terrorists threats including aircraft impact.

That is the official word from British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) in the wake of reports that security has been stepped up at N-plants in the United States.

This move came after the International Atomic Energy Agency warned a nuclear attack by terrorists is more likely now that it was before the September 11 outrages in New York and Washington.

There are two nuclear facilities at Capenhurst - BNFL's main site which is currently decommissioning a nuclear diffusion plant used for urnanium enrichment until the 1980s, and neighbouring Urenco which is engaged in uranium enrichment.

In a statement on its official website BNFL says: 'While there is no evidence to suggest that any BNFL facilities are a likely target, we take the safety and security of our sites very seriously.

'Major nuclear facilities, including for example, reactors and highly active waste stores, are constructed to extremely robust engineering standards and incorporate large quantities of reinforced concrete as an integral part of their construction.

'These facilities are resistant to many terrorist threats including aircraft impact. Safety cases and contingency plans take these into account.'

The statement adds: 'Security around BNFL's sites has been increased but we do not feel it appropriate to discuss these matters. Experts from around the world recently met in Vienna to discuss nuclear terrorism and call for a review of safety.'