The lifespan of two UK nuclear power stations that provide power for more than four million homes has been extended by France’s state-owned EDF.

The total of four units at Heysham A (also known as Heysham1) and Hartlepool A, both in northern England, will now continue generating until March 2028, a year longer than planned.

Centrica, which owns power company British Gas and has a 20% share in the plants, said the extended lifetimes mean “even greater energy security for Britain”.

The UK has a target to decarbonise its electricity supply by 2030 and reduce its reliance on gas power plants, which provide about a third of its power.