THE Government gave the go-ahead yesterday to start operations at a controversial nuclear fuel plant.

It said the long-awaited decision for the manufacture of mixed oxide (Mox) fuel at Sellafield in Cumbria is justified in accordance with the requirements of European law.

But the move sparked immediate criticism from environmental, anti-nuclear and local residents' groups, who warned it would make the world a less safe place, and increase the terrorist threat.

Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace claimed the decision was unlawful and were seeking legal advice.

But there was a welcome from Sir Ken Jackson, general secretary of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union.

He described it as "a real boost" for the future of the industry that would end uncertainty for several hundred employees.

The Mox plant was completed in 1996 but has lain idle since then.

It was intended to turn spent plutonium and uranium into fuel but, following financial concerns and in the wake of a data falsification incident, the go-ahead for the plant was withheld.