Sellafield police officers have lost a High Court challenge over a new pension scheme.

Specialist police officers who protect nuclear materials in the UK had challenged the scheme, which could make them work until they are 65.

The Civil Nuclear Police Federation (CNPF), which has 1,250 members, said that the change, due in April, would leave the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) “out of step” with the vast majority of other officers.

At a hearing last week, which was contested by the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA), it asked for a declaration that the CNC were “members of a police force” for the purposes of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 and their pension age must be 60 like most other officers.

But, in London today, Mrs Justice Nicola Davies dismissed the claim.