PEOPLE living in Oldbury have been told that the nearby nuclear power station will not increase their risk of cancer.

The reassurance was given by Dr Julia Verne, of the South West Public Health Observatory, who visited Oldbury this week to discuss residents’ fears about a possible link between cancer and living near the power station.

"Based on the analysis we have undertaken for you there is no convincing evidence of increased cancer incidents around Oldbury Power Station.

"On the basis of our study would I be prepared to live here? Yes I would," said Dr Verne.

Dr Verne gave a presentation to a packed Oldbury Village Hall as part of the latest Oldbury Site Stakeholder Group (SSG) meeting, which is aimed at keeping local people informed of developments at Oldbury Power Station.

During her talk Dr Verne explained how the South West Public Health Observatory had analysed the number of new cases of all types of cancer between 1992 and 2006, within five and 10 kilometres of the power station, and throughout South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Primary Care Trusts (PCT).

According to the health body’s figures between 1992 and 2006 there were almost 4,000 new diagnoses a year throughout the two PCTs, and on average 13 new diagnoses per year within a five kilometre radius of Oldbury.

Between the same period the number of new cases of childhood leukaemia per year in the two PCTs was two and there were no new cases, on average per year, within five or a 10-kilometre radius of the station.

"The key facts about cancer to remember is that it is a very common disease. One in three of the population will get the disease in their lifetime.

"One in four people will unfortunately die from it but mortality rates from cancer are going down," said Dr Verne.

Malcolm Lynden, chairman of the Oldbury SSG, said: "There are so many things I worry about in life but after 30 years of living here I don’t worry about the power station."

Earlier this month Oldbury was shortlisted by the government as a possible site for a new generation nuclear power station. The announcement followed months of speculation after energy giant E.ON secured a National Grid Connection at Oldbury and started to buy land in the area.

More information about the South West Public Health Observatory’s research for Oldbury can be found by visiting www.swpho.org.uk