SERIOUS concerns have been expressed about the level of security at both Heysham power stations following the US terrorist attacks.

Heysham councillors and local environmentalists will meet British Energy bosses on Friday to seek assurances that appropriate emergency procedures and security arrangements are in place at the nuclear plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has recently issued warnings about the low level of security at UK nuclear power stations following the September 11 attacks.

Other European countries have deployed regular air patrols and even installed surface-to-air missiles at nuclear installations.

Bosses at Heysham power station say they are confident their security arrangements are adequate and in line with Government guidelines.

But Heysham North representative, Cllr Pat England, who was pressing nuclear bosses for assurances before the terrorist atrocity, said: "I am extremely concerned about security at Heysham. I have been asking for a discussion on their emergency planning procedure for over a year without success."

Lancaster's Jon Barry says they are particularly concerned about the threat from the air and the transportation of nuclear material around the district. Trains loaded with spent fuel regularly leave Heysham for the Sellafield Reprocessing Plant in Cumbria.

He said: "Our main concern it that very little has been done to increase security at the power plants which, considering what we saw on September 11, would be irresponsible." A British Energy spokesman said: "Like every other sensitive site we have looked at our security arrangements. We have upped our levels of security and changed our arrangements. Our levels of security are reviewed on a day-to-day basis with reference to the Government and their demands.

"We feel we are meeting our security needs at this moment in time but they do change on a day to day basis."

Station chiefs say they are unable to comment publicly on the specific details of their security arrangements, but will answer questions from members of the liaison council on Friday.