Business is set to flourish at an Argyll-shire plant nursery with the building of a new growing and storage facility at one of their nurseries, allowing them to increase production.

Highland Heathers is constructing the new facility at their Taynuilt nursery near Oban. They also have sites at Inverleiver and Achahoish, south of Lochgilphead.

The popularity of gardening has soared in recent years thanks to an increase in the number of television programmes and magazines on the subject and as a result, the business needs to expand to meet increased demand from large DIY chains for their heathers and other plants.

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), part of the Highland and Islands Enterprise network, is supporting the £75,000 (pounds) expansion of Highland Heathers with an investment of £18,600 (pounds).

The family-run business, which was established in 1978, employs 48 staff and the new facility at Taynuilt will create two new full-time jobs. In the longer term, Highland Heathers is looking to expand into Europe, capitalising on export opportunities.

Nigel Willis, joint managing director of Highland Heathers said: "The new facility will allow us to increase production, helping us to retain our market position."

Chief executive of AIE, Ken Abernethy said: "Highland Heathers is an extremely important employer in Argyll, providing vital jobs in rural areas. This business has gone from strength to strength and looks set for continued growth when their latest expansion is complete and they can increase production.