Construction work is underway on a group of business units on the Orkney island of Westray - one of the most economically fragile communities in the Highlands and Islands.

The three purpose built units will be erected at Pierowall village and are aimed at meeting the accommodation needs of small businesses on the island. Market research was carried out locally to gauge how much demand existed for this kind of business accommodation.

The decision to build the units came thanks to the efforts of the Westray Development Trust - a local community group that has been formed to decide which projects can give the island most benefit.

The group was formed under the 'Initiative at the Edge' - a programme established by government ministers to tackle problems like depopulation facing certain rural areas in the Highlands and Islands.

The programme is driven by communities themselves, deciding which projects match their needs, and implementing them through co-operation with a range of different bodies.

Advice and guidance was provided by Orkney Enterprise, who will build and partly fund the £175,000 (pounds) cost of the units. An application for European assistance towards the project was also successful and this made up the balance of funding.

The Westray units will be built by local building contractor Daniel Harcus Construction and should be ready by the end of March.

Chief Executive at Orkney Enterprise Ken Grant said: "These units will allow businesses to develop and operate more efficiently. They could suit the re-location of existing local businesses or, equally offer an opportunity for new enterprises to become established."

By using adjoining panels in the construction, the three units can accommodate one large business or three smaller ones and the site can also be extended in the future.

Environmental improvements are also planned as part of the project that will see the development of land that has been a local eyesore for years.

Chairman of the Westray Development Trust, Stephen Hagan said: "Since our formation nearly two years ago, the trust has pulled local people together to decide on developments needed on Westray.

"Our efforts are now beginning to pay off with projects like the construction of the business units coming to fruition, but we are also working on getting a youth drop in cafe off the ground, as well as a care centre for the community".