AN INVESTIGATION has been launched at Drax Power Station after a fault caused a deafening noise that could be heard for miles around.

Residents were woken from their sleep in the early hours of Friday morning by a noise they said sounded like an aircraft taking off. Experts were rushed to the scene and it was discovered a safety relief valve had been lifted on one of the units due to pressure becoming too high.

A Drax spokesperson said: "Following an investigation, it was revealed that a fault on one of two control systems on the low pressure side of the system on one of the units caused the low pressure side of the system to fail safe and as a result a safety valve was opened.

"The safety relief valves are designed to lift when the pressure becomes high to avoid any further damage to the power station.

"The valve lifted between 3am and 3.30am and the noise lasted about ten minutes.

"Drax can only apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents."

Nigel Briggs, who was woken by the noise as he slept in his home in Hemingbrough, said: "It was horrendous. I live two-and-a-half miles away from the power station and it was a hell of a noise. I dread to think what it was like for residents living even closer."