Grant Shapps and Andy Carter visit MoltexFLEX in Birchwood

The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, secretary of state for energy security and net zero, visited MoltexFLEX in Birchwood.

Mr Shapps was given a tour of the laboratory in Birchwood alongside Warrington South's Conservative MP, Andy Carter.

The secretary of state was given lab demonstrations by the Moltex team (Image: Newsquest)

The secretary of state was shown the techniques that Moltex uses in order to revolutionise the way the country views nuclear power.

Moltex uses molten salt in its experiments, rather than gases - which means that if there were to be any leaks, the salt would solidify back into granular salt, rather than escape into the atmosphere as gases could.

Mr Shapps was shown the laboratory housed inside Rutherford House, and was enlightened on the work done there by Moltex's chief executive, David Landon.

One aspect of the technology that the secretary of state was keen to hear about was the comparative cheapness of producing nuclear power through the use of molten salt - he said it was a 'British solution.'

Mr Shapps was asked: Is this your first time in a glovebox? (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Grant Shapps said: "I was the first secretary of state to put money into nuclear for something like 35 years.

"British innovation is massively improving, and what Moltex is doing in Birchwood is on a different scale.

"We've got some fantastic research and development in this country - and we don't need to invent anything from scratch."

When asked about whether Birchwood could be the new home of Great British Nuclear, Mr Shapps said: "You've already got the decommissioning!"

He then joked: "Perhaps I should run a competition for the next location."

The politician also took part in a demonstration, too (Image: Newsquest)

Andy Carter also spoke to the Warrington Guardian after the tour praising the employment that Birchwood Park brings, and the sheer scale of the nuclear operations that take place at Rutherford House and beyond.

When asked what he thought of Mr Shapps' visit, Moltex's chief executive David Landon said: "He came across very well informed; it was interesting to hear he's been in Korea discussing some of these issues.

"He understood the challenges for us, and was asking how it all fits into the mix."

David was then quizzed on what Moltex wants to see from the government, despite being focused on being privately funded.

Mr Shapps was given a brief talk by Moltex CEO David Landon (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "What we need from Government are the signals that they're interested in this technology, which gives us the opportunity to fully develop this in the UK.

"It was great to hear that the secretary of state is interested, but what we need now are the right signals."

David added: "There are massive export opportunities for the north west, regionally, too."