BNFL does not have intelligence to show it is a target

British Nuclear Fuels says the government may place the site on Amber alert - a move which will have a significant impact on workers and the wider area.

Sellafield is currently on Black Special alert, the site's normal security status.

But with tension increasing over the probability of war with Iraq, it is likely to change.

British Nuclear Fuels says that if the site ia placed on Amber alert, security will be significantly tightened.

Bus to work

It would lead to heavy traffic congestion on the A595 as vehicles slow down to be checked, and could even mean single-occupancy cars being banned from entering Sellafield.

If so, buses would be laid on from the Yottenfrews car park to get staff to and from work.

A spokesman for BNFL, however, said there had been no intelligence to suggest there was any credible threat to the nuclear site.