Lloyds Bank has announced a fund to help small businesses take advantage of supply chain opportunities at the new Hinkley Point power plant.

The £100 million fund will help small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) access discounted lending and become involved in one of UK's biggest investment and construction projects.

It is estimated that construction of the multi-billion pound EDF Energy's Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset will put £200 million per year into the regional economy at its peak and provide over 25,000 job opportunities.

Small business customers can apply to the fund which will waive arrangement fees on lending directly linked to the construction of Hinkley Point C and give them the financial backing to bid for new business and supply chain contracts. This includes arrangement fees for loans, invoice finance and asset finance facilities.

The fund can also be used by businesses that provide indirect services to the power plant through an agreed contract such as hotels, transport, catering, facilities management and security services.

Both Lloyds Banking Group and EDF Energy have major centres at Barnwood.

David Beaumont, South West regional director, SME Banking, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking said: "Hinkley Point is a huge investment for the South West and the UK and we want to help small and medium-sized businesses take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the supply chain.

"Whether it's construction, catering or transport services, our £100m fund and support will ensure that businesses have the financial backing they need to capitalise on this multi-billion pound construction project."

Once fully operational the new Hinkley Point plant will have the capacity to generate electricity to power around six million homes across its anticipated lifespan and ensure that the country has enough low-carbon electricity when the UK's older power stations are expected to close from 2030.