PEOPLE wanting to know more about the potential new nuclear power station at Shepperdine are being invited to a special presentation evening.

Horizon Nuclear Power, the company behind the plans, is to hold an open surgery session and a presentation in Thornbury next month.

The sessions are part of the company's informal engagement programme to keep residents up to date with the development proposals and is in addition to any formal consultation the company will have to do.

The proposed new power station could create up to 800 jobs and several thousand more during construction.

Tim Proudler, Horizon planning and consents manager, said: "We know there is a lot of interest in our plans and we're keen to keep people updated and hear their views.

"These events are not part of our formal pre-application consultation process for nuclear new build at Oldbury - this will only begin once we reach the stage where we have sufficient information about the development.

"Instead, these sessions will begin with an informal open surgery in the afternoon where anyone can drop in to meet members of the Horizon team who will be on hand to answer questions about our plans and ongoing studies at Oldbury.

"Then, in the evening, there will be a presentation covering the main development considerations of a new nuclear power station at Oldbury.

"We will also take the opportunity to explain how the formal consultation process works in the new planning regime."

The open surgery is being held at the Cossham Hall on Thursday, March 4 (3-6pm). The evening presentation will also be held at the Cossham Hall at 7.30pm.

Places for the evening presentation need to be booked in advance by calling freephone 0800 130 3125 or emailing oldburyenquiries@horizonnuclearpower.com giving address details and the number of places required.

Horizon plans to hold similar events on different aspects of the scheme in the future and is also committed to re-running sessions that are over subscribed.