An nuclear fusion experiment in Oxfordshire faces an uncertain future following the vote to leave the European Union.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which owns and operates Culham Centre for Energy, said the Joint European Torus (JET) project to create clean energy was funded until the end of 2018 and would keep going until then.

But the organisation's chief executive Professor Steve Cowley said its future beyond this was less certain.

The scheme, which has been underway since 1982, aims to create the conditions of a star on the earth which would provide clean, cheap energy without harmful effects on the environment.

Professor Cowley said: "UKAEA and EUROfision, representing the European fusion community, are committed to try and exploit JET beyond 2018 up until 2020.

"But extensions to JET operation from 2018-2020 and beyond 2020 are much more uncertain after Thursday's decision.

"We will work closely with our sponsor in Government- the Department for Business Innovation and Skills- and European partners to try and secure the best outcome for UKAEA, JET and European fusion research.

"In the meantime we remain fully focussed and committed to the operation of JET for European fusion researchers."