THE fight to win more community benefits from the likely development of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point could go global.

An internet campaign has been launched with the aim of putting pressure on EDF, the French company behind the proposal, to provide more benefits to West Somerset in return for planning permission.

A new website - Have You Got The Hinkley Point Yet? - has been set up to collect and focus the wishes of local residents across the district and Exmoor so that they can act as a force for good to turn the cost of the development to the community into the maximum benefit.

Among the ideas put forward so far by Porlock-based internet entrepreneur Rollo Clifford, who is behind the initiative, are the introduction of worldclass broadband, better use of the West Somerset Railway and a replacement swimming pool.

Mr Clifford said if West Somerset could have world class broadband superfast speed it would enable the district to become a breeding ground for the budding genius of the internet age.

"The new broadband speeds are meant to produce 600,000 jobs - let's have some of them now," he said.

Mr Clifford said funding a new swimming pool would provide a great opportunity for EDF to enhance its reputation locally as an employer and responsible member of the community.

And he said the power company could help the WSR to improve its services by providing the rolling stock to enable it to connect to the main Network Rail line on a daily basis for commuters and shoppers.

"The focus of this website is to concentrate on all the key opportunities this investment can bring to our communities," said Mr Clifford.

"It is non-political and is not intended as an environmental debate forum."

People can check out the website at http://www.haveyougotthehinkleypoint.co.uk">www.haveyougotthehinkleypoint.co.uk or through Facebook.