China may take over Hinkley Point nuclear project, claims Lord Howell

Suggestion comes as EDF faces more opposition from its own private shareholders to the Hinkley scheme at its annual general meeting in Paris

Chinese companies are ready to step in and offer to build new reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset if French company EDF backs out of the government's flagship energy project, it has been claimed.

EDF recently put back a final investment decision until September amid mounting problems - not least whether it has the financial muscle to construct what may be the most expensive power plant ever.