BNFL Springfields has been awarded the ultimate safety accolade for its preparation for the Year 2000.

Independent assessors, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, have given the site a prestigious blue rating for 100 per cent safety when the Millennium passes.

The site is the first non-financial institution in the country to get a blue award.

Brian Woods is Springfields' manager for the Year 2000 Bug.

He said: "When I first started working on the bug, there were more than 1,100 days to go.

"Now there are less than 175. First of all we had to run an inventory of all the electrical goods on site and find out if they were reliant on the date.

"Then we had to test them and fix any problems, not forgetting to log the equipment that was alright."

Brian and his team found an astonishing 10,000 pieces of equipment that needed working on.

He continued: "Our safety is assured when the Millennium passes because the vital equipment has no computer components.

"The plant won't be manufacturing anyway as it doesn't usually over the New Year.

"Of the equipment that we categorised as the main priority - such as safety systems - 100 per cent have been dealt with and are now Millennium compatible.

"We have around 50 items in the second priority group left to fix."

Norma Spacey, chairman of Newton with Clifton Parish Council, said: "We are absolutely happy with the safety of the plant.

"Many years ago, people shied away from moving here because they were unsure about BNFL.

"Now, no-one bothers in the slightest.

"It has been a monumental and difficult task for them but they have got everything right. The residents of the area can be assured of the safety of the plant."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.