A project to remove asbestos from the former Chapelcross nuclear plant has been completed ahead of schedule.

It is said to be the largest known asbestos removal in Europe and second largest in the world.

Around 3,300 tonnes of asbestos were removed from the turbine hall, four reactor buildings and 16 heat exchangers.

More than one million bags of asbestos waste – equivalent to filling four Olympic-sized swimming pools – were despatched to licensed landfill sites, Magnox claims.

The eight-year project was completed at £5 million less than the expected £43 million.

Brian Burnett, Head of Programmes at the NDA, said: “The safe removal of 3,300 tonnes of asbestos at Chapelcross completes an important hazard reduction activity for the site and a key step on the path to care and maintenance.”