TWO serious security breaches hit Dungeness B nuclear power station within days of September 11.

On Saturday a plane flew in to the station's no fly zone and was taking pictures within 500 metres of the reactor building.

Later it emerged that an undercover journalist, working for a national newspaper, managed to get a job at the station using a false address and fake references.

He was given access to secure areas including the nuclear reactor before being given clearance by the Office of Civil Nuclear Security.

The story claims he was allowed to wander freely, using a video camera that could just as easily have been a small bomb.

In a statement to staff, station manager Mark Gorry, said that the breaches were being taken very seriously.

But he said the reporter was not allowed to wander freely but had been escorted around the station.

He said: "We believe he used a sophisticated miniature video camera concealed in his clothing to film reactor areas.

"We also believe that the plane which circled the station on Saturday to take pictures, and breaching our safety 'no fly' zone may have been associated with the same story."

The pilot may face prosecution.

MEANWHILE, staff said it was business as usual despite an announcement this week that owner British Energy was in serious financial trouble.

Last week the company announced it needed urgent help from the government, otherwise it faced going into insolvency.

But Adrian Cirket, president of the GMB trade union at Dungeness B, said they were confident that the problem would be resolved and that there was no immediate fear of jobs being lost