BRITISH Nuclear Fuels Ltd has refused to comment on reports that the Warrington-based company will be wound up if two subsidiaries are sold.

The firm has announced the sale of one branch, Westinghouse, and another branch BNG, is alleged to be coming on to the market with a value of £100m in the middle of next year.

But the state-owned company, which employs around 200 people at its Daresbury Park site, remained tight-lipped about the future.

Spokesman Angus McIntosh: "Our position is very simple - we don't comment on market rumours and speculation."

BNFL manufactures fuel and recycles old fuel, manages nuclear waste and decommissions old reactors.

It operates at sites in south west Scotland and north west England.