A POLICY that combines increased renewable energy technologies with cautious nuclear power is backed by 62% of people in a poll.

The research by Deloitte, a professional services organisation, also shows that, by contrast, just one in three people supported the use of nuclear technology itself.

This suggested that support for nuclear power increases significantly when there is some reassurance that it would not be in place of renewable sources, such as wind, wave, solar or biomass technologies.

Carl Hughes, UK head of energy at Deloitte, said: "Although there is much debate on the pros and cons of nuclear power, there appears to be a misconception that nuclear power and renewables are an `either or' option."