ARMED police are being brought in to patrol the North-East's only nuclear power plant to combat the threat of terrorist attacks.

Security at the Hartlepool power station will be strengthened after a review following the September 11 atrocities.

Armed police from the UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary will monitor the site around the clock within the coming months.

The Department of Trade and Industry said the move had not arisen out of a specific threat to any of the UK's nine nuclear sites.

A spokesman said: "I can confirm armed police officers will be deployed at nuclear sites.

"The key thing is that this is in response to no specific threat whatsoever and is just a prudent enhancement of existing security.

"Security at nuclear sites is under regular review and it has been significantly enhanced since September 11.

"We cannot get into any detail, other than to say armed police will be there."

Hartlepool Power Station director Stuart Crooks said the armed officers would work with the security teams already in place at the British Energy plant.

He said: "As with all British Energy sites, safety and security at Hartlepool Power Station is our number one priority and we work closely with our security regulator.

"The Office of Civil Nuclear Security has set out requirements to further enhance the already robust security arrangements at all civil nuclear power stations with the deployment of armed police."