A British diplomat has been allowed to visit the site of a huge explosion in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that has raised fears of a nuclear weapons test, the BBC reported on Monday.  

Britain's Ambassador to the DPRK David Slinn could visit the site to see for himself as early as Tuesday, the report said.

British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell, who has been in the DPRK for talks with DPRK officials, earlier welcomed the DPRK decision.

"Having asked the (DPRK) vice foreign minister this morning for our ambassador and other ambassadors to be allowed to visit the scene of the explosion, I am very pleased the North Koreans have agreed to the request," Rammell was quoted as saying.

The DPRK has confirmed the blast, which reportedly happened last Thursday in the country's northern region, was part of a power plant project.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2004)