A blaze has broken out at the Barrow-in-Furness BAE Systems shipyard where Britain's new Astute-class and Dreadnought submarines are being constructed.

Cumbrian Police confirmed that the fire at the nuclear submarine shipyard was reported at 00:44 on Wednesday, and two people were taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation.

A statement from Cumbria Police said: "Emergency services remain in attendance at BAE at a significant fire at the site. There is no nuclear risk. 

"Whilst people living nearby are no longer being advised to remain indoors, the message remains to keep doors and windows closed. 

"If you are in a road vehicle and travelling within the vicinity of BAE, please close your vehicle's windows, air vents and sunroof. Turn off fans and air conditioning if you have them.

"People are also asked to avoid the area whilst emergency services continue with their work. 

"Cumbria Fire and Rescue are likely to have appliances on site for much of the day today." 

A witness to the incident said she saw thick black smoke billowing from the Devonshire Dock Hall building.

She said: "My son came and got me and said that the BAE alarms were going off, so we went.

"It was a lot of black smoke, like really thick black smoke, and it was very loud."

A taxi driver, 53, from Barrow, said traffic was backed up for a mile or two after the incident. By Alex Candlin, BFBS Forces News