FORM 6-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                            Report of Foreign Issuer


                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                October, 2002


                               BRITISH ENERGY PLC
                               (Registrant's name)


                               3 Redwood Crescent
                                   Peel Park
                             East Kilbride G74 5PR
                                    Scotland
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                          Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                               Yes ..... No ..X..

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):



                                 Exhibit Index

The following document (bearing the exhibit number listed below) is furnished
herewith and is made a part of this Report pursuant to the General Instructions
for Form 6-K:

Exhibit       Description

No. 1       Regulatory News Service Announcement, re: Circular to Shareholders
            dated 24 October, 2002




BRITISH ENERGY PLC

CIRCULAR ISSUED TO SHAREHOLDERS CONCERNING PROPOSED INCREASE OF BORROWING LIMIT



A copy of the above document, which has been sent to all shareholders, has been
submitted to the UKLA, and will shortly be available for inspection at the
UKLA's Document Viewing Facility, which is situated at:

Financial Services Authority
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HS

Telephone 020 7676 1000


CONTACTS

Paul Heward                         01355 262201           (Investor Relations)
Julie Lea                           01355 262574           (Media Enquiries)
Duty Press Officer                  01452 652233           (Media Enquiries)

Find this News Release on our web-site: www.british-energy.com




                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


Date:  28 October, 2002                    BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____Paul Heward____

                                           Name:  Paul Heward
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations