Official approval has been granted to two Inverclyde-based projects as part of the £1bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal scheme.

Leaders operating the City Deal across eight Sottish councils have approved a project to improve the A78 at Inverkip and another to expand Greenock Ocean Terminal.

The business case of the Inverkip project was developed by Inverclyde Council and Scottish Power.

It addresses the restricted network and junction capacity on the A78 trunk road at four locations in and around Inverkip.

Funding will now be secured for the development of a former power station site to deliver 600 new homes and 6,000sqm of commercial space.

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The Inverkip infrastructure project also aims deliver access and safety improvements in Wemyss Bay and Inverkip.

The Greenock Ocean Terminal project, delivered between the council and Peel Ports, involves expanding the quayside to secure future cruise liners into Scotland.

A new visitor facility will also be developed.

Council Leader Stephen McCabe said: "This is a significant milestone in the delivery of two key strategic projects for Inverclyde.

"With the support of seven other Scottish Councils and both the Scottish and UK Governments, Inverclyde is making sure we are getting benefit for our local area while playing a key part in delivering investment and improvements which benefit the west and the rest of Scotland."

Both the UK and Scottish Governments are giving Glasgow and Clyde Valley local authorities £500m each in grant funding for the City Deal, and the councils will borrow a further £130m to use for capital investment.

(LM/CD)