A gas-fired combined heat and power plant will be built by oil giant BP at its Kinneil Terminal in Grangemouth after consent was granted by ministers on Wednesday.

The facility will generate steam for use by the oil industry and electricity for the national grid.

As part of the Forties Pipeline System (FPS), the terminal processes around 40% of North Sea crude oil.

Ministers said the plant will provide long term security of service to the developers of new oil and gas fields who rely upon the FPS.

Energy minister Fergus Ewing said: "This proposed development will provide welcome long-term security of service to developers of new oil and gas fields, at an otherwise challenging time for the wider oil and gas industry.

"There is a long term sustainable future for the North Sea – which will be supported by investments such as these at BP Kinneil Terminal – and we are committed to using every lever at our disposal to support the industry through this challenging time."