Four nuclear power plants across the UK are to have their operational lives extended, EDF Energy has announced.

The French company has revealed Heysham 1 and Heysham 2 in Lancashire, Hartlepool in Teesside and Torness in East Lothian, Scotland will be kept open longer than originally scheduled.

Heysham 1 and Hartlepool are to be extended by five years until 2024, while Heysham 2 and Torness will remain open until 2030.

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EDF said the move will keep 2,000 jobs secure, as well as employing 1,000 contractors.

However, the company revealed its profits fell 68% to €1.18 billion.

CEO Vincent de Rivaz said: "Our continuing investment, our expertise and the professional relationship we have with the safety regulator means we can safely prolong the operating life of our nuclear power stations. Their excellent output shows that reliability is improving whilst their safety and environmental performance is higher than ever.

"In today's extremely challenging market conditions, our belief that Government policy will be maintained and strengthened gives us the confidence to invest in our nuclear stations. This gives customers the best value low carbon electricity available."

(LM)