Work is progressing on the recovery operation of the collapsed Didcot power station site in Oxfordshire.

One person was killed and three men are missing after the boiler house at Didcot A power station partially collapsed on 23 February.

A large volume of material has now been removed from the debris pile as part of the recovery operation. Around 20,000 tonnes of material is still on the ground and up to 40 metres of the overall pile has been cleared so far.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said: "These debris removal works are ongoing seven days a week, from dawn to dusk.  Whilst to date everything is progressing to plan, due to the complex nature of the collapse the recovery phase will still take some time.

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"Specialists from TVP, Fire and Rescue's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and the South Central Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) remain on hand in order to allow the safe recovery of the missing men."

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the collapse.

Of the debris and steel work removed, approximately 250 pieces of differing sizes and weights have been removed as evidence.

TVP added: "A number of specialists from a range of disciplines including forensic archaeologists, metallurgists and structural engineers are supporting this work, with drones and other camera equipment being used to capture information about the debris pile and the standing structure which remains in an unsafe condition.

"Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this tragic incident and specialist officers from TVP continue to support the families, providing them with regular updates on the progress of the recovery effort."

(LM)