AN £86m investment announced yesterday will help create a 'national fusion technology platform' at Culham.

Science Minister Jo Johnson said the cash injection would fund new research at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy .

It comes after Culham warned that the government's plan to leave the EU-wide Euratom research regulator could deal a 'tremendous blow' to the UK industry.

The EU-funded Joint European Torus (JET) fusion research project at Culham is also set to be superseded in the coming years by its successor project ITER in France.

Mr Johnson said the investment announced yesterday would help keep world-class research happening in Oxfordshire and 'emphasise the UK's commitment to international collaboration'.

The local funding was part of a national package of deals, including 'up to £56m' research and development (R&D) funding for new technologies which companies will have to bid for.

In a statement he said: "Our new Industrial Strategy clearly detailed our ambition to build on the UK’s existing scientific strengths and ensure UK expertise remains at the forefront of pioneering research that has global impact.

"This new funding for nuclear fusion research will establish a unique set of research and innovation capabilities that will safeguard the exceptional work already taking place in Culham by scientists and engineers from across the world, and emphasises the UK’s commitment to international collaboration."