West Dunbartonshire Council has said it has secured £900,000 to construct new workshops.

Some 31 jobs will also be created as part of the investment.

Funding for the workshops at the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate, located near Dumbarton, is part of a wider £25m fund from the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant. It is used to transform disadvantaged areas in Scotland.

The fund, which has been developed in partnership with local authorities, will support projects that can deliver new and improved infrastructure and bring significant positive outcomes for deprived areas.

West Dunbartonshire Council, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Strathleven Regeneration Community Interest Company will work together on the £1.8m project to provide 17,000 sq ft of new flexible workshop space in the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven area, where there is high demand for suitable premises. The units will range from approximately 500 to 1,500 square feet in size and be completed by summer 2015.

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Councillor David McBride, Convener of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, said: "This is a significant project and investment for West Dunbartonshire and it will open the door for businesses to expand or be ideal units for new businesses. For the first time in many years the Council will be building new industrial premises to meet local demand using its capital funds and funding from the Scottish Government."

Councillor Lawrence O'Neill, Depute Convener of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, said: "Around 500 employees currently work in the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate and there is great potential to expand business opportunities there and enhance its setting. The Council is keen to attract new businesses to the area and these new multipurpose units in the heart of the estate have input from surrounding local communities as the project develops."

(JP/CD)