The Aberdeen city region deal has been hailed by Scotland's economy minister one year on.

Keith Brown said a "great deal of progress" has been made on the ten-year deal, which is backed by £250m of investment from the Scottish and UK Governments for projects designed to boost the area's economy.

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils and Opportunity North East (ONE) are now working with regional partners to agree the individual project funding packages with the two governments.

Mr Brown said: "Twelve months ago, the First Minister confirmed the multi-million pound deal to support Aberdeen's position as a global oil and gas hub, paving the way for significant investment in innovation, digital connectivity and infrastructure across the region.

"Thanks to the impetus provided by the city deal, and in no small part to the work of the local authorities involved, as well as their private sector partner Opportunity North East, it's fair to say that a great deal of progress has been made in respect to those ambitions.

"But this is just 'year one', and there is much work still to be done in order to achieve our aims of broadening the economic base and driving inclusive growth by enhancing alignment between national, regional and local ambitions."

UK Government minister Lord Duncan said: "One year on from the signing of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, and it is clear to me that it is making a difference.

"From innovation and technology to connectivity and infrastructure, this deal is transforming the city and region."

He added: "I look forward to seeing the deal deliver even more benefits for the city and region in years to come."

Three months after the official deal signing, the Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) was launched with the aim of making the region a global hub for oil and gas innovation.

Within its first nine months of operation, the OGTC has approved investment of more than £18m, while its innovation hub was opened by the First Minister in October.

In addition, the business case for a new bio-therapeutics hub for Innovation has been approved by the City Region Deal Joint Committee, and a project to improve the infrastructure around Aberdeen Harbour secured endorsement and investment of over £5m from Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee.