A turf-cutting ceremony has been held in Aberdeenshire for new leisure, sports and community facilities in the region.

A total of £12.7 million has been invested across the projects.

FMP Construction is the contractor for the new developments and will begin to create indoor and outdoor sports/community facilities at Banff Academy and Macduff Myrus pavilion.

Provost Hamish Vernal cut the ground at the two sites, marking the beginning of development.

The new centre at Banff will include community and office areas, along with viewing galleries for the sports hall and squash courts.

Further features include new football pitches along with running and cycling tracks, upgraded tennis courts, a refurbishment of the PE department and a swimming pool.

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An outdoor terrace, car parking and landscaping will also be included.

In Macduff, a new pavilion along with football pitches will be created, with the existing pavilion at Canal Park, Banff will be refurbished.

Provost Vernal said: "I'm sure that the sports groups and members of the community that use these will be pleased with the commitment by the council to make improvements and provide of state-of-the-art facilities.

"These will help to provide our young people with the skills they need and our communities with improved health and well-being."

Director of FMP, Raymond Millar said: "We are delighted to have been awarded our second opportunity with Aberdeenshire Council, through its capital plan of works contractor's procurement framework.

"FMP has significant experience in the leisure, and education sectors, and we understand the importance of these facilities to the local communities.  Our teams are looking forward to working with the Banff and Macduff communities to deliver these projects, using a proven, innovative and best practice approach to the construction phase."

(LM)