People living near the Sizewell B nuclear power station in Suffolk might be given a supply of tablets to take in the event of a radiation leak.

Currently, stocks of potassium iodate pills are held at police stations at Martlesham and Leiston.

But now thousands may be handed out to up to 300 people living within a two-kilometre radius of the plant.

The proposals were put forward at a planning meeting held between Sizewell, Suffolk health bosses and the emergency services.

Thyroid gland

Dr Amanda Jones, of the Suffolk Coastal Primary Care Trust, said: "The people we're thinking of pre-distributing to are people within a relatively small radius of Sizewell, about two kilometres - two or three hundred people.

"Research has shown that if there was a small incident, these are the most likely people to be affected."

The pills are aimed at reducing the risk of cancer in the thyroid.

The iodine contained in the tablets is absorbed by the thyroid gland, preventing it from taking in any radioactive iodine that would be present in a dangerous leak.

Police stations in the area would still keep stockpiles of the tablets.