Broadband speeds for schools, health and community centres in Aberdeen will increase, the Scottish Government has revealed.

The £2m investment will connect 57 public buildings to broadband with speeds of up to a gigabit.

It is being made available through the £254m package for the region, which is in addition to the £125m Aberdeen City Region Deal.

Connectivity minister Fergus Ewing said: "Fast and reliable broadband is a key driver of economic growth.

"This is why we are committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband access across Scotland by 2021, along with enhanced connection speeds for key premises in Aberdeen.

"By providing fast and reliable broadband, capable of gigabit speeds, we are transforming Aberdeen into one of the UK's best connected cities, unlocking greater commercial investment in the future."

Aberdeenshire Council leader Jim Gifford said: "A special meeting of the joint committee has been called this week and will be considering this significant digital project.

"The investment is designed to be a catalyst. Whilst in the first instance this will benefit public buildings in the city, it will put in place the required infrastructure to unlock future growth into Aberdeenshire.

"The committee has ambitions to make this region one of the best connected in the UK and this could go some way to meeting that target."