Cracks were discovered in graphite bricks around the core of a nuclear reactor at a power station in Scotland during an inspection, operator EDF said on Thursday.

The French utility said the fissures did not affect the ability of the reactor at Hunterston B to function and did not endanger safety.

The cracks were found on three of 6,000 graphite bricks and reflected a normal level of cracking as the plant ages, according to EDF.

"As part of routine inspections, engineers looked at part of the reactor's graphite core. Three graphite bricks were found to be cracked," the company said in a statement.

"This is known as keyway root cracking and was predicted to start happening at this point in the station's lifetime.

"It does not affect the operation of the reactor and the findings have no safety implications and are well within any limits for safe operation."

The nuclear power station, which has operated since 1976, was previously scheduled to be shut down in 2011, before repairs extended its lifetime.

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EDF - ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE