ONE of Britain’s youngest nuclear inspectors from Great Sankey is set to play a key role in a global study , which has been launched to learn lessons from the decommissioning of damaged nuclear facilities.

Kayleigh Harden, who works for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in Bootle, will now also lend her expertise to an international working group where she will evaluate case studies such as the accident at Chernobyl in Ukraine.

The 28-year-old said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and ONR to be involved in such a significant project.

"It is a new challenge and means I can play a key role in positively influencing the final report.

“ONR is seen as an international leader in nuclear regulation.

"While in Vienna we presented on our regulatory strategy for Sellafield and received very positive feedback. By being part of this IAEA project we will be able to share our work and good practice internationally.”

Kayleigh, who graduated with a Masters Degree in physics from The University of Manchester in 2009, started her first role on a nuclear graduate programme at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness.

From there she joined RSD, now the Regulatory Support Directorate of AMEC Foster Wheeler, where she worked to support the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulatory in a variety of roles before joining ONR in September.