An explosion has damaged a converter station near the Hunterston nuclear plant.

Fire crews were called to the site in North Ayrshire on Thursday afternoon.

Nobody was been injured in the blast and there was no danger to the public.

The building where the explosion happened is close to the Hunterston nuclear station but not connected to the plant.

It is used as converter station for a £1bn, 260-mile undersea power cable between Scotland and England.

The facility was visibly damaged by the explosion, with several pieces of outer cladding shaken loose.

Nearby buildings were evacuated but work at the nuclear station was unaffected.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We were alerted at 3.19pm on Thursday, September 21, to reports of a component failure within the Western Links electrical facility, West Kilbride.

"Three fire appliances were immediately mobilised to the incident, however their assistance was not required.

"There were no casualties and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe."