HUNTERSTON B power stations’ latest recruits have joined the company to start their apprenticeship in the nuclear industry.

Darren Reid, 16, from Stevenston, 24-year-old Darelle Maclean from Largs, Kate MacDonald, 18, from East Kilbride and 17-year-old Lyle Higgins from Saltcoats were appointed after an exhaustive recruitment process.

The four recruits will be the first to head to the National College for Nuclear in Cannington, Somerset, after EDF Energy signed a five-year contract with the college to train the company’s maintenance apprentices.

The group started their careers with EDF Energy with a team-building week in the Lake District where they met other apprentices from power stations across the UK.

During the week the apprentices took part in a series of activities and challenges, the final challenge of the week culminated in climbing Helvellyn.

With the outward bound course complete, the apprentices are now studying at Bridgwater College, home to the National College for Nuclear, where they will spend the next two years.

Colin Weir, station director at Hunterston B, said: “Our four new recruits had a great time during their outward bound week, meeting the people they are going to be living and working with for the next two years.

"Now they are eager to take on the new and exciting challenges their training will present.”

The apprentices will learn basic engineering skills in their first year, before specialising in their trade.