BRITISH Energy said yesterday it was extending the life of its Kent nuclear power station by 10 years in a move that will stoke up the debate on the future of atomic energy in the UK.

The operator said the decision to keep Dungeness B open until 2018 would allow it to continue making a "powerful contribution" to the UK's energy needs and would safeguard hundreds of jobs. It insisted the decision would not pave the way for further extensions at its other UK nuclear power stations. The move will increase the lifetime of the plant to 35 years - in line with many of its other sites. British Energy, which produces around one-fifth of the UK's electricity, has already been granted extensions to the life of six of its seven other plants.