The control room of Kingsnorth Power Station was evacuated

Kingsnorth Power Station on the Hoo Peninsula was evacuated on Thursday after a "fibrous substance" was found in the control room.

All four generating units were shut down as they cannot be operated if the control room is out of action.

A spokesman for E.On UK, which runs the plant, said specialists were trying to identify the substance. Power supplies were not expected to be disrupted.

Safety paramount

"The safety of our staff is always paramount in a situation like this," said Jonathan Smith.

"We have discovered the fibrous substance.

"We simply don't know what it is but whatever it is it shouldn't be there."

He said it might be possible to restart power generation in time for the breakfast rush on Friday.