A senior executive of the Korean company long-rumoured to be interested in Cumbria's proposed nuclear new build has said the firm will be a "long-term partner" in the project.

Jong-hyuck Park, the chief nuclear officer of Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) confirmed the company was in discussions with Toshiba to buy into Nugen, which has plans for a new power station at Moorside, near Sellafield.

The Japanese giant has a 60 per cent stake in NuGen and is soon to take full control.

He also said he had visited the site of the proposed facility in west Cumbria.

His comments came at a conference on nuclear new builds in the UK, which took place in London today.

"We will be a long-term partner for the strategic delivery of the Moorside project," Mr Park said.

"We are in discussions with Toshiba for taking on a share from them."

Mr Park was also keen to stress that discussions are "at an early stage".

Rumours about Kepco becoming involved in the Moorside project started circulating last year.

They gathered pace this year after Toshiba expressed "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue as a going concern because it is forecast to make a multi-billion pound loss for the last financial year.

Business Secretary Greg Clark visited South Korea in 2017 and it was reported that Kepco was one of the companies he met during the trip.

One sticking point in Kepco becoming involved in the Moorside project is thought to be that the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor has been earmarked for use in the completed plant. Kepco uses a different technology, of its own design and manufacture.

This may not pose a challenge now after NuGen announced a "strategic review" of Moorside, which has included a look into what technology is used.

Mr Park told the conference that Kepco has a good history of delivering nuclear projects on time and that it wanted to make use of "Team Korea and Team UK".

Tom Samson, NuGen's chief executive, said: "What is actually happening is that there are a series of discussions to do with Toshiba."

He added that there had been "global interest" in buying into NuGen but also said he thought there would be "one buyer" for Toshiba's stake in the firm.

Any new reactor design for Moorside would have to go through a full UK approval process but he pointed out that Kepco's design is in use in four other countries.

"If there is a technology that is delivered in four other places you would hope there will be some crossover knowledge," he said.

"There would have to be a regulatory process for it."

Graham Haywood, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, gave the news a cautious welcome.

He said: "As I understand it they are at a very early stage but they have expressed an interest. Toshiba has not made a decision yet.

"Whatever comes from it we will be looking for greater certainty. If it comes from Kepco they would be most welcome in Cumbria."