THE European Commission last night gave its approval to a plan to restructure troubled nuclear power company Brit-ish Energy (BE).

BE had warned that if the plan was not approved, by European Commissioners and by its shareholders, the company would cease trading, which would mean the loss of more than 500 jobs at its largest nuclear plant, in Hartlepool.

Brussels said yesterday that it was satisfied the terms of a Government subsidy to keep BE afloat complied with competition rules.

But BE must only use the money for decommissioning.

It emerged this week that BE is pursuing legal action against a major US shareholder, which may oppose its rescue package.