Thousands of extra jobs could be created if designs for a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK could be used around the world, a trade union claims.

Unite wants the government and the nuclear regulator to license "global designs", set at an international standard, for the new sites in this country.

As well as securing thousands of existing jobs in the nuclear industry, 10,000 new jobs could be created, said national officer Dougie Rooney, who added: "The licensing of a new generation of UK nuclear reactors provides British industry with a fantastic opportunity to say to the world and to the UK population that we are applying the highest global standards.

"It also sends a powerful message to the commercial world and to UK industry that it is safe for it to invest in new facilities, new product designs, training and jobs."