THE boss of Hunterston B power station is to leave his role.

Long-serving director Colin Weir is taking up a new post within the nuclear industry and departing his position at the local power plant.

While leaving the Largs operation, he will remain with owners EDF, joining the company’s waste and decommissioning department as a director.

Colin is being replaced on an interim period by Paul Forrest, who has extensive prior experience as plant manager at both Hunterston and Torness power stations.

The Largs man said it had been a 'real privilege' to work locally for nearly 30 years.

He has overseen the EDF Energy-owned plant during its recent return to action with reactor 4 back online this month after nuclear regulators gave the go-ahead following a safety case put forward by Hunterston.

Reactor 3 remains offline until January 2020 at the earliest as part of a graphite inspections outage.

Speaking to the local site stakeholders group, Colin said: "I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I will be taking on a new role as EDF Energy prepares for the next phase of the life cycle of the UK’s fleet of Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) power stations.

"From next week I will be joining the company’s Waste and Decommissioning organisation as AGR Defueling Director.

"In this post I will have responsibility for the delivery of the preparation and operational activities required to successfully defuel the AGR fleet as the stations reach the end of their generation phase.

"I have worked at Hunterston B for 27 years, spending the past nine of them as station director. The team at Hunterston B is absolutely committed to operating a safe and efficient power station and it has been a real privilege to have spent such a large part of my career here.

"I am looking forward to being able to further support Hunterston B in my new role and to ensure the successful delivery of a safe defueling programme.

"Paul Forrest will take on the role of Hunterston B station director on an interim basis. Paul has been plant manager at Torness since December 2017 and held the same role at Hunterston B for seven years before that. He is familiar with the station and well placed to manage the site until a permanent replacement is found.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support. Local people have been a great support in the role over the years and for that I am very grateful."