The Scottish Government will back plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.

The move will create 16,000 jobs in Scotland, the government has said.

The project has been debated for a number of years, but Scottish ministers have said it offers "strategic and economic benefits" for Scotland.

In addition to jobs, Heathrow will make a number of commitments in a Memorandum of Understanding, signed with the Scottish Government on Monday.

If plans go ahead, Heathrow will investigate Glasgow Prestwick Airport as a potential site for a logistics hub to support the building of the third runway.

Scotland has been promised £200m spending on construction, £10m for new domestic routes and a reduction of £10 per passenger on landing charges paid by airlines operating services from Heathrow to Scotland.

The government has said this will benefit existing services from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and provide incentive for "the introduction of new services".

Plans for another runway at Gatwick is also expected to be confirmed.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: "We have engaged extensively with both airports during this process and considered all options very carefully. Gatwick's proposals are also to be commended.

"However, Heathrow's plan offers significant job creation, major investment opportunities and, crucially, seeks to address how all of Scotland's airports benefit from the new runway capacity when it comes and also in the lead-up period.

"The potential for a logistics hub to be based at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is also an important part of the Heathrow offer. It would support the pre-fabrication of components for the construction phase, with potential for future work beyond the launch of the third runway, bringing strong economic benefits to the airport and the wider Ayrshire economy.

"Growing the number of direct international air routes to and from Scotland remains a priority for this Government, but the proposals from Heathrow offer all our airports a range of benefits that will help them grow passenger numbers and continue to build on their successes."

Heathrow has also agreed to a long-term marketing campaign to promote Scotland and a procurement event in Glasgow to enhance opportunities for Scottish firms to win business with Tier 1 Heathrow suppliers.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow Airport, said: "An expanded Heathrow would create up to 16,000 jobs in Scotland. It would facilitate more airlines flying routes to Scottish airports, meaning more flights, more competition and choice for families and businesses across the nation.

"That also means more visitors to Scotland, more destinations for Scottish tourists and more opportunity for Scottish businesses to reach new export markets.

"This partnership demonstrates how Heathrow expansion can work for every region and nation of the UK. Now is the time for the UK Government to make the right choice and back Heathrow."