An electrical overload on a nuclear submarine has prompted safety inspectors to call for better maintenance at Faslane.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) issued an "improvement notice" to Babcock Marine Ltd after they investigated the incident almost a year ago.

A battery was being replaced onboard one of the Vanguard-class submarines, which carry the UK's nuclear deterrent at sea, while it was undergoing maintenance at HM Naval Base Clyde on August 5, 2021 and there was an electrical overload.

The ONR found Babcock Marine had not reduced the risks of battery replacement maintenance to ensure the health and safety of workers.

An ONR spokesperson said: “We have determined that Babcock Marine Ltd, as an employer, has contravened the below legal requirements with regard to the health and safety of its employees involved in battery replacement maintenance activity.

“This was a conventional health and safety incident and there were no nuclear or radiological consequences.

“We will engage with Babcock Marine Ltd during the period of the Improvement Notice to ensure positive progress is made to address the issues.”

The improvement notice was issued under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, sections 2(1) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 3 (1).

Babcock Marine Ltd have until April 28, 2023 to comply with the Improvement Notice.

A spokesperson for Babcock said: “The health and safety of everyone within our operations is our number one priority.

"We are working with the ONR and have already implemented a number of changes to our arrangements to address the Improvement Notice requirements, and further changes will be made over the coming months.”