Oil and gas production off the coast of Aberdeen has been described as "Britain's best industrial success story of modern times" but companies are pushing to attract more young people into the trade.

Malcolm Webb, chief executive of the Oil & Gas UK trade association, told the BBC that the 400-company industry was looking ahead to the next half-century, after a strong performance over the last 50 years.

The energy supports more than 400,000 jobs, 45% of which are in Scotland.

And the strength of demand for energy keeps those jobs afloat even as recession and a construction slump has kept the Scottish economy as a whole on its knees.

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Wind and wave power across the Highlands join with subsea oil and gas drilling off the north-east coast.

Energy giant BP has pledged to invest $2bn in the North Sea next year, and up to $10bn over the next five years.

But training is where funds and time must be invested.

Almost a third of the technical staff maintaining the Scottish Power network are due to retire within the next ten years, and the company is straining hard to get more young people through the doors.

Trainee Kat Brennan, 24, told the BBC she was happy with the importance involved in her role.

She said: "I always wanted to do something important. We were told about the energy gap at school, and I feel what I do can make a difference."

To find out more about careers and apprenticeships at Scottish Power, see here.

(NE)