AN inquiry into a radioactive leak at Hartlepool's nuclear power plant has been started with investigators concentrating on preventing any future incidents.

The examination by British Energy, follows a leak of almost 440 gallons of contaminated water at Hartlepool Power Station, on Brenda Road.

A separate report is also being compiled by the Environment Agency and the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate, a division of the Health and Safety Executive.

Hundreds of workers were evacuated from the plant following the discharge into an on-site plant, which purifies water released from nuclear reactor gases.

A spokesman for British Energy said: "It's a standard procedure that normally takes a few weeks because all aspects are looked into."

The incident started at 12.22pm last Wednesday when the leak occurred at the joint of a pipe in a plant at the centre of two nuclear reactors. Ten fire engines, an environmental protection unit and an emergency tender attended the scene as a precautionary measure.

The separate investigation by the Environment Agency and the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate is also under way.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "The event has not resulted in the breach of any authorised limits of radioactive discharges to the atmosphere as the plant normally operates at levels much below their authorised limit."