A final investment decision is to be made next week on a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

Developer EDF Energy confirmed a meeting will be held on Thursday, 28 July to decide whether to build two new EPR reactors at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) facility.

The £24.5 billion project has been delayed for a number of months due to a number of issues, including cost overruns.

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In a statement, EDF said: "HPC would also enable the Group to mobilise all its significant nuclear engineering skills following the final investment decision. The first concrete of reactor 1 of HPC, scheduled for mid-2019, would coincide with perfect continuity with the start-up of the EPR at Flamanville, scheduled for the end of 2018."

Welcoming the new, Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: "It's clear that we are open for business as we come closer to sealing the deal on this major investment in British infrastructure and British jobs.

"New nuclear is an essential part of our plan for a secure, clean and affordable energy system that will power the economy throughout this century.

"This is a welcome decision from EDF, and we look forward to the outcome."

(LM/CD)