A power station is among Oxfordshire's most popular tourist attractions.

Former Didcot Power Station manager Dave Bramley said more than than 8,000 people visited the Didcot A coal plant annually, which is why National Power has now opened a visitors' centre.

With an impressive display of illuminated visual aids showing how a power station generates electricity, the centre is situated in what was a dilapidated contractors' hut, which has been refurbished.

Mr Bramley, now general manager of National Power UK operations, officially opened the centre. He said operating an 'open door' policy for those who wished to visit the plant was just as important as generating electricity.

The centre was particularly important for children who were among the majority of visitors as part of their studies in science, geography and economics, he added. "They not only benefit from an academic point of view, but gain a greater understanding of the important issues involved in producing a vital commodity that we all often take for granted," he said.

Mr Bramley welcomed a group from Didcot's Stephen Freeman Primary School with their headteacher, Julie Leigh.

He said: "National Power as a company is committed to playing its part in educating children about the processes involved in electricity generation and how our insatiable demand for energy has to be balanced with the needs of the environment."

Story date: Saturday 23 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.