The push for a new environmental watchdog for Northern Ireland has received a timely boost with a string of high-profile individuals endorsing the demand.

A millionaire businessman today told the Belfast Telegraph how he hopes to build a £1bn nuclear power station in the province. Londonderry entrepreneur Robert Andrews - founder of the hi-tech Andronics satellite products company - said he is preparing an environmental impact study to see what effect a nuclear power station would have on the region.