HUNDREDS of jobs have been safeguarded with EDF Energy's announcement that it will be extending the life of Hinkley Point B nuclear power station by seven years.

The station had been due to shutdown in 2016, but will now continue to generate electricity until at least 2023.

The decision was announced on Tuesday as EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz officially opened a new Hinkley Point visitor centre in Bridgwater.

The firm said its decision had been welcomed by local authorities in Somerset as well as trade unions, as it would help to preserve local skills and jobs until after the expected completion of the company's planned new nuclear power station, Hinkley C.

Mr de Rivaz said: "This decision will bring significant benefits to the local community in terms of jobs and additional economic activity.

"We have committed to investing a further £300 million a year in the eight-strong nuclear fleet.

"Our nuclear generation business provides work for more than 300 companies in the supply chain and around 90 per cent of our total £650m annual spend in the supply chain goes to British companies.

"In addition it will provide further opportunities for training of a new generation of nuclear engineers as we seek to develop the UK's position as a primary source for skills and expertise in the industry.

"Of course, locally we are well advanced in our plans for a new nuclear power station that will place Somerset at the heart of the low carbon future for the UK."

Mr de Rivaz also welcomed the completion of the company's new visitor centre, located in Angel Place shopping centre in Bridgwater.

As well as offering guided tours of the Hinkley Point B station, the centre provides an introduction to the nuclear industry by using hands-on displays and interactive aides.

There are also classroom facilities for local school students to learn more about nuclear power.

Mr de Rivaz added: "We are already at the heart of the community in Somerset.

"However, this gives us a great opportunity to engage ever more closely with our neighbours and listen to what they have to say and answer any questions they may have about our station, our company and the nuclear industry as a whole."

A spokesman for EDF said Hinkley Point had always had strong community links, with more than 1,000 visitors already visiting the station this year.

Mike Harrison, Hinkley Point B's station director, welcomed the decision to extend the station's life: "This is great news for all of us at Hinkley Point B and for everyone in the local community.

"The decision means we can continue to provide highly skilled jobs and bring major investment to the area.

"It also shows that EDF Energy recognises the professionalism and commitment of our staff in safely supplying low carbon electricity for more than 36 years," he said.

Tom Armstrong, Prospect trade union technical representative and joint secretary of the Local Joint Council said that staff at the power station were delighted with the news.

He said: "The announcement of the life extension at Hinkley Point B power station is great news for all of the staff involved, both on and off the site, who have worked so hard to achieve this result."

But the life extension was "condemned" by anti-nuclear campaigners from Stop Hinkley.

Spokesman Theo Simon claimed safety could be compromised by extending the life of the "ageing" station.

He also claimed that recent flooding on roads around the site proved the station was vulnerable to climate change and "potentially inaccessible in an emergency".

During the recent floods, the A39 was closed at Nether Stowey and the main access road to Hinkley was affected by flood water.

However, bosses at Hinkley Point B said they were confident robust plans were in place to ensure the safety of both staff and equipment, while the site itself was not flooded and had continued to operate normally.

The B station currently employs around 535 full time staff, including 44 apprentices, as well as 220 full time staff from contract partners.

The wage bill alone is an estimated £40m a year which EDF said went straight back into the local economy.

Energy Minister John Hayes was among those who welcomed the life extension of the B station and EDF's Hunterston B plant in Scotland.

"It is absolutely fantastic news for our energy security that these two nuclear power stations will continue generating vast amounts of electricity into the 2020s.

"This decision will also secure hundreds of skilled jobs in both Somerset and North Ayrshire, highlighting the value of nuclear energy to our economy and society," he said.