The last of EDF Energy’s nuclear power reactors taken offline for safety checks in 2014 is now back in action, according to the energy firm.

The second reactor of Heysham 1 power plant was switched back on at 6.40pm on Saturday after a “successful” inspection of its boiler.

Regulators gave the last unit at Heysham 1 power plant a clean bill of health late on Friday.

It was also the one which first sparked concerns for safety when a crack was discovered in its boiler spine.

It’s a marginally late return to action, originally the energy company thought Heysham 1 could be up and running by the end of December.

All other reactors at Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, which both use the same advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) design, were back online last year.

This morning all 13 reactors at EDF’s eight nuclear power plants have been supplying energy to the grid.