A major Scots nuclear power plant has had its operating life extended by seven years.

Energy giant EDF announced that Torness in East Lothian was among four UK power stations that will have their closure delayed by between five and seven years.

EDF Energy said the "exceptional performance" of its nuclear plants had "driven" the company’s 2015 financial results.

Torness, near Dunbar, was due to be decommissioned in 2023 however it will now remain open until 2030.

The station, which employs 550 full-time staff, generates enough electricity to power more than two million homes.

Heysham 1 in Lancashire, and Hartlepool in Teeside, due to close in 2019, will continue for an extra five years while Heysham 2 will join Torness in remaining open until 2030.

EDF said the move would safeguard 2000 jobs and 1000 contractor roles, and ease growing concerns about energy shortages.

Tuesday morning’s announcement followed "extensive technical and safety reviews" of the four plants.

EDF Energy chief executive 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 while 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."

EDF reported an underlying operating profit of £664m for 2015. It said this was 15% lower than its 2014 figure of £783m, due to ongoing investment in the business.

The French company is planning to build a new nuclear power station at Hinckley Point in Somerset but is still to make a final investment decision.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said he was "disappointed" by the announcement.

"Nuclear power is the ultimate unsustainable form of energy, creating waste which needs to be looked after for 25,000 years," he said.

"EDF have announced the life extension for Torness because they are trying to distract attention from their terrible financial performance and their repeated failure to make a final decision on whether to build the Hinkley Point reactors in Somerset.

"Nuclear power is on its last legs in Europe and Hinkley will probably never get built. The UK Government needs to refocus on energy efficiency and renewables instead of continuing to chase the nuclear dream."

Scotland’s other nuclear power plant, Hunterston B in Ayrshire, has already had its life extended by the same firm.

The station was originally due to be decommissioned this year but in 2012 it was announced that it would remain open until 2023.