The Irish Sea pressure group, The Celtic League, is continuing to seek an explanation for what they see as an anomaly in levels of technetium 99 in the area.

They say the latest Government report describes lower concentrations found last year. The group holds that three years ago, after falls in levels, there was a slight increase and although there was then a dip, the decline seems to have halted.

They also say 69 radioactively contaminated pebbles have been recovered from the Solway coast as part of an on-going monitoring programme. This, they say, is a further cause for concern and that although the Food Standards Agency say the risk to the public is low, the League says it is significant they now feel the need to carry out such checks.