400 jobs are to be created by an energy firm expansion in the New year.

The owners of Nigg Energy Park in the Highlands announced the plans.

Global Energy Group bought the Nigg yard by the Cromarty Firth in Ross-shire in October 2011.

The group is launching a Highlands-wide recruitment drive for 400 skilled personnel to start work at Nigg and the neighbouring Invergordon Service Base.

Alex Salmond announced the jobs boost to the Scottish Parliament at First Minister’s Questions.

The First Minister said: "Buoyed by growing demand for the manufacture of advanced and highly-specialised technologies across energy sectors, Nigg Energy Park is set to reindustrialise the Cromarty Firth and help strengthen the wider Highland economy.

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"Since buying the largely-dormant oil yard just over a year ago, Global Energy has begun a magnificent renaissance at Nigg. Their ambition is matched by the quality and skills of an expanding workforce – boosted by the Nigg Skills Academy I opened in March."

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing added: "This is a great Christmas present for Nigg and the Cromarty Firth.

"Global Energy have to be congratulated on the great deal of work they have done over the past year since taking over the Nigg facility. This injection of high value employment ranging from project engineers, fabricators and welders to name a few will support secured contracts for the upgrade and refurbishment of drilling rigs.

"This Government is focused on doing all we can to help the energy industry in Scotland go from strength to strength and these new jobs will be a major boost to the Highland economy and will support the oil and gas industry with its crucial role in Scotland’s future long-term economic success."

(IT)