Around £10m is to be spent on the expansion of the Elvingston Science Centre, East Lothian.

Technology tycoon David Simpson who coined the phrase 'Silicon Glen' is to submit a planning application that would see 30,000 square feet of additional office and lab space created on historic 75-acre Elvingston estate.

It is expected the development will create around 200 new jobs on Mr Simpson's historic 75-acre Elvingston estate near Haddington.

Mr Simpson said: "There is demand for this type of industry in East Lothian. It is not about people just travelling to Edinburgh - we want people travelling from Edinburgh to work here as well.

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"The reputation of the whole (Lothians) area is increasing all the time - especially with the work at the New Royal, the Pentlands Science Park and so forth.

"The science industry is vital to Scotland and could be the driver of future economic growth."

A spokesman for Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce said: "Elvingston has been a successful venture. As the only such centre in East Lothian it has made useful contributions to the growth of companies not only in the region but in other areas of the UK.

"Elvingston has also helped show the way forward by incubating and supporting dynamic high-tech industries."

Mr Simpson now 82 started the first semiconductor factory in the country for the Hughes Aircraft company 1960, before establishing Hewlett-Packard's first UK plant operation at South Queensferry.

(GK/JM)