One of the two nuclear reactors at Dungeness B power station is finally up and running again, after more than 300,000 hours of repairs.

Unit 21, which has been generating power since 1983, provides enough electricity for roughly 750,000 homes.

It had been offline for maintenance since November while engineers carried out detailed inspections on the boilers.

Power at the station was restored today and the owners EDF announced the start-up was successful at 9.30am.

The site employs 550 people. Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins is currently pushing energy secretary Chris Huhne to reinstate its place on a UK-wide list of sites for a new station.

Ten fire crews also had to battle a blaze in the next-door Unit 22 last year, within days of Unit 21 being shut down.

Dungeness B Station Director Graham Finn said: "These were technically challenging inspections but we're pleased to say no problems were identified."