AN examination has begun into plans for pylons connecting Hinkley Point with Avonmouth.

The study into National Grid’s plans will take six months with a final decision due in 2016.

Open hearings where the public will be able to have their say are due to take place in March.

After the six-month examination the examiners will have three months to prepare a report for the Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, who will have three months to make a decision.

National Grid made the application back in May, 2014, to install the overhead line, which would carry electricity from the new Hinkley C nuclear power station.

Just under 250 pylons would also be removed as well as 42 miles of cabling between Bridgwater, Avonmouth and Nailsea for the new pylons.