A meat processing company has been awarded a £4m grant from Scottish Government and European Union funds.

The money will contribute to Scotbeef's planned £17m new abattoir and meat-processing facility in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

The grant is one of the largest ever from the food processing, marketing and co-operation scheme.

The scheme is part of a joint rural development support programme involving Scottish Government and EU funds.

Announcing the award, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said: "Scotland's food and drink is internationally renowned and continues to be a standout sector within our economy.

"The industry is worth around £14bn to our economy each year, accounting for a fifth of manufacturing jobs.

"There are around 18,850 food and drink businesses in Scotland, employing approximately 115,400 people.

"This award will allow Scotbeef to move to new state-of-the art premises on the outskirts of Inverurie - safeguarding jobs and allowing the company to continue to offer a vital service to Scotland's livestock producers, but particularly those in the north east."