Argyll and Bute Council has applied for nearly £10 million of funding to boost economic growth projects throughout the region.

With over £9m already secured from external sources, such as Historic Environment Scotland, Sustrans and the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, the council is aiming to achieve more funding to help carry out further improvements.

Projects include upgrading bus infrastructure, town centre regeneration projects, cycling/walking improvements, marina and waterfront upgrades.

In addition to council funding, there are bids in to sources such as the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund as well as the European Union's European Regional Development Fund, with a total ask of £9,636,058.

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Cllr Aileen Morton said: "The figures are hugely impressive, but it's about so much more than that. The council has made a lot of ambitious investments in recent years, and it's always a big decision to spend public money on a given improvement project. These council investments give real confidence not just to private investors but to external funding agencies, showing them that our commitment to regeneration and economic growth is equal to theirs, giving them the certainty that their investments will really make things happen in Argyll and Bute.

"The money brought in so far has made a real difference to people in Argyll and Bute, revolutionising town centres and creating jobs. Projects are about people – creating jobs for them, upgrading their town centres, putting measures in which will make their lives better."

(LM/MH)