Oldbury nuclear power station has both of its reactors generating power for the first time in five years.

The plant's Reactor Two has just returned to operation since its statutory shut-down for maintenance.

Reactor One had been subject to an extended closure while its graphite core was tested but was eventually given clearance to run again in March.

By then, Reactor Two was already part way through its maintenance schedule.

But just a few days ago, the work was completed and the station was back up to full power .

The station, near Thornbury, is currently five months into its extended period of operation.

At 40 years old, it should have closed down last December.

But a delay in the de-fuelling timetable meant there was enough fuel to keep the plant going and nuclear industry inspectors agreed it could continue generating for a further two years.

Oldbury has also been named as a preferred site for one of the new generation of nuclear power stations, but if that goes ahead it will be years before a replacement for the existing plant would come into operation.

The current Magnox nuclear power plant is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

Dr Brian Burnett, the NDA's Magnox programme director, said income from the power generated during the extension period would be used to fund its clean-up schedule, with Oldbury continuing to contribute to the UK's energy supply.

The station can generate enough electricity to meet the needs of a city one-and-a-half times the size of Bristol.