TONY Blair's support for nuclear power is reckless and very short sighted.

It is a belated attempt to meet CO2 targets and is storing up massive problems for the future.

Decommissioning nuclear power stations and storing nuclear waste over thousands of years doesn't come without risk and is costly.

Dounreay in Scotland is still being dismantled and will take some 30 years to finish.

Beaches miles from the installation are no-go areas because of radioactive particles.

Whilst some boffins may argue that nuclear power is safe, no technology is 100 per cent safe.

One only has to look back to Chernobyl to realise any nuclear accident has potentially far reaching long-term effects.

So how do we combat global warming?

Well, it will mean changes to lifestyles.

While we all like the idea of flying to foreign destinations for a few pounds, the environmental impacts are ludicrous.

People need re-educating with regard to use of resources and to abandon this throwaway culture.

Alternative energy forms like wind, wave and solar power need to be exploited.

I am sure anyone reading this won't like some of the sacrifices but I for one, would rather do without a new car or the latest DVD player than have a nuclear power station in my backyard.

MARK STUBBS, Cranshaw Drive, Blackburn.