Approximately £200 million is to be invested on the Crichton estate in Dumfries, it has been announced.

The investment is being made by Jansons Property in partnership with the Crichton Trust and could create hundreds of jobs.

Proposed developments include:

• A purpose-built campus for the University of the West of Scotland.

• A research and innovation centre for Dumfries.

• A museum to display artefacts from the Hunterian Museum, the Crichton Archives and the Dumfries and Galloway collection.

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• 250 purpose-built student residences.

• A home for the National Centre for Resilience which will drive research into climatic, environmental events and emergency responses.

• Two new grandstands and a business park at Queen of the South's Palmerston Park.

• A youth sports facility.

Andy Jansons, MD of Jansons Property, said: "We are pleased to be working with the Crichton Trust in taking forward this exciting development, and we will bring together the funding and expertise to deliver appropriate projects for the Crichton and the community of Dumfries and Galloway."

Rob Shaw, CEO of the Crichton Trust, added: "This is the most compelling and tangible investment opportunity that Dumfries and Galloway region has had in living memory and one which benefits the Scottish economy significantly.

"This investment will create substantial benefit across a range of sectors including education, sport, leisure, culture, and research and development."

(LM/MH)