Struggling shop owners fear for the future of their Seascale business after discovering Sellafield plans to shut one of its entrance gates.

Sellafield Ltd has revealed its Calder Gate entrance will be closed between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday - starting from this weekend.

The nuclear site says there will be "very minimal" impact on the community and the changes are being introduced while a project is carried out elsewhere on the complex.

But angry business owners, who weren't told about the decision, believe the move could lead to job losses, or closure, due to a fall in customers.

Nearly two years ago, shops in Seascale noticed a sudden drop in passing trade when site bosses decided to shut Calder Gate at 8.30am everyday, following a security review.

The decision was reversed after concerns were raised by the village's businesses.

Michael Dunne and his wife Helen own Pudding Lane, a coffee shop in the village.

He said: "We get a third of our business over the weekend, closing the gate will have massive implications for the longevity of our business.

"We'll see how it goes over this weekend and next, but we might have to reduce the number of staff.

"Our Saturday girls could lose their jobs. We could potentially have to close our business."

Five staff, including Mr Dunne's wife and daughter, currently work in the café on a Saturday.

Since 2016, Mr Dunne said one shop, A Williams & Son butchers, has closed.

"There's been issues but we have managed to get by," he added. "Beforehand we were making money, now we're getting by.

"We're the only shop open at weekends, when about 80 per cent of our trade comes from Sellafield.

"There's a few locals, but between 8.30am and 12pm the majority of customers come from Sellafield.

"I've been reading about Sellafield's socio-economic responsibility which they aspire too. It all seems like lip service to me."

David Moore, chairman of West Cumbria Sites Stakeholder Group, which scrutinises the nuclear industry in the area, said he will monitor the situation closely.

Mr Moore, who represents Seascale on Copeland Council and is the vice-chair of Seascale Parish Council, supported concerned businesses in 2016.

He said this time he had been assured by Sellafield the closure would only be at weekends, when Calder Gate usage was low.

A statement from Sellafield Ltd said: "A decision has been taken to close Calder Gate every Saturday and Sunday from 08:30 hours to 16:30 hours, to allow a project to be delivered elsewhere on the site.

"Impact on the workforce and community was considered, and deemed to be very minimal, due to the low number of individuals who use the gate during those times.

"We understand decisions we make can affect the community, and welcome discussions with local businesses to help them to mitigate impact."