Thousands of people have flocked to an art exhibition dedicated to the end of nuclear fuel reprocessing at Sellafield’s Thorp plant.

The Art of Reprocessing, at the Beacon in Whitehaven, includes work from local, national, and international artists, including sculptures, relief printing, collages, textural canvases, paintings, sketches and more.

It celebrates the life of Sellafield’s Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (Thorp), which has stopped reprocessing nuclear fuel after 24 years.

Each piece of art conveys a moment in the life of the plant.

Alan Irwin, business development manager for the Beacon, said: “We are thrilled with the level of visitors to what is one of our most unique exhibitions so far.

“The highlight for me has been welcoming new audiences attracted by this exhibition, people of all ages and interests, from all over the country.

“Some have a keen interest in art, while others were eager to learn more about the industrial and social history of Cumbria.

“What we have here in the museum often comes as a pleasant surprise to many visiting for the first time.

"I would urge anyone who hasn’t visited yet to take an hour and visit this exhibition before it finishes.”

The exhibition will remain open until early January, with a smaller version continuing until March 2019.

The art will then be auctioned for charity.

Emma Law, head of corporate communications for Sellafield Ltd said: “Thorp is not just a Sellafield story; it’s part of the social history of west Cumbria.

“From the public inquiry in the 1970s, which decided it should go ahead, to the economic boom of the construction years and the 24 years of operations, it’s been stitched into the fabric of local life.

“For us, it’s an iconic building, but for many people it’s mysterious: it’s behind a fence, out of the sight.

“We wanted to make it accessible and meaningful to people who don’t know much about it.

“So we commissioned artists to take the story and give us their interpretation; to see it with fresh eyes and express it a new way.

“It’s a fabulous exhibition and I would encourage everyone who can to visit.”

The artists include Katie Edwards; Helaina Sharpley; Charlotte Ellis; Paul Leith; Heidi Hodkinson; Sarah Strachan; Jill Davis; Debby Akam; Simon Wilson; Chiyun Yeh; Marion Kuit; Issie Holmes; Thomas Hedger; Veronica Currie; Kate Eveson; Aimee Green; Sarah Taylor; Hollie Morton-O’fee; Olivia Pilling; and Kathy Harris.