SECURITY was being stepped up at Teesside's industrial plants today.

Queues formed outside British Energy-run Hartlepool Power Station as the bags of everyone entering the nuclear site were thoroughly searched, and public tours of the plant were cancelled.

A spokesman said: "We take security very seriously at all other times but with these events we have increased our vigilance.

"All people and vehicles coming to and from the site are being searched and we have cancelled our visits and guided tours from the public. All visits for at least the next 48 hours have been cancelled."

American company the Huntsman Corporation, which runs operations at Billingham and Wilton, were also tightening security at all its sites world wide. A spokesman expressed the company's "total shock" at the events in New York and Washington.

He said: "We are well aware of the need for added vigilance in the light of the tragic developments in the USA yesterday and we have significantly heightened security at our facilities world wide to help ensure the safety of our employees and the local communities."