Low levels of radiation have been detected in Oxfordshire connected with the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

The Harwell-based Health Protection Agency has reported "the minutest levels" of iodine-131, associated with events at the stricken Japanese nuclear plant, at its Oxfordshire monitoring stations.

However, the agency stressed there was no risk to public health.

It said: "The dose received from inhaling air with these measured levels of iodine -131 is minuscule and would be very much less than the annual background radiation dose.

"The detection of these trace levels reflects the sensitivity of the monitoring equipment."

The HPA said levels were extremely low at 300 micro-becquerels per cubic metre.

This followed reports from monitoring stations in Glasgow and Oxfordshire of measurements averaged over the last nine days which found 11 micro-becquerels per cubic metre.

The agency added: "The levels detected therefore mean there is no public health risk in the UK from the release of radioactive material from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

"Levels may rise in the coming days and weeks but they will be significantly below any level that could cause harm to public health."