Over a hundred people have set up a peaceful protest in front of a nuclear plant in Somerset, over plans to build a new twin reactor. EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point plant has been blockaded, but operations are unaffected.

Andreas Speck, spokesperson for the Stop New Nuclear alliance said: “This blockade shows that people who understand the true dangers of nuclear power are prepared to use civil disobedience to get their voice heard. The government has hoodwinked the public into believing that we need nuclear power to keep the lights on.”

Later today the protesters intend to release 206 helium balloons, representing the number of days since the meltdown at the Japanese Fukushima nuclear plant. The journey of the balloons will be tracked to represent the spread of radiation should there be an accident at Hinkley Point.

An EDF spokesman told ELN: “We are quite happy to accommodate their protest, it is good natured and good humoured. Operations are unaffected and EDF continues to produce safe, low-carbon electricity for a million homes.”

Protesters are urging ministers to look to Germany where the government has pledged to phase out nuclear power within ten years. Camilla Berens from campaign group, Kick Nuclear said: “The German government has just published a blueprint for a sustainable, nuclear-free future. The key focus is energy reduction and a bridging technology called combined heat and power. The burning question is, if Germany can do it, why can’t we?”