A £8.9m centre for developing new manufacturing processes for aerospace and automative industries is to open near Glasgow.

The facility is the first step towards creating a National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.

Run by the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre(AFRC), the specialist facility will occupy the former Doosan Bacbock building in Renfrew.

With the aim to improve efficiency and help reduce carbon emission, the centre will focus on the use of lightweight materials such as titanium and carbon fibre.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the unit will support highly-skilled jobs and help put the country at the forefront of lightweight manufacturing.

Speaking to an audience of 75 businesses at the AFRC, Ms Sturgeon said: "A vibrant and innovative manufacturing base is critical to Scotland's economic success and to creating skilled employment opportunities for the future.

"The lightweight manufacturing centre will help Scottish businesses take advantage of the fact that sectors such as aerospace and the automotive industry are making more and more use of lightweight materials.

"It will deliver cutting-edge research and development projects with and for companies in Scotland.

"Scotland enjoys resources few nations can match, including one of the most highly-educated workforces in Europe, a long-standing reputation for excellence in innovation and engineering and an internationally-regarded brand."