Work is getting underway on a new advance office at Dingwall Business Park in Easter Ross which could create up to 50 new jobs for the area.

Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, is spending £760,000 on the new 5,000 sq. ft building comprising two self-contained office suites with space for approximately 50 staff.

Scheduled for completion by June, the new premises are located in the RACE funded 20 acre extension to the Dingwall Business Park. RACE has completed five office developments to date with buildings leased to organisations such as Vertex, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands Careers Service and the Forestry Commission.

Chief executive at RACE, Gordon Cox said: "When completed, this building will provide a valuable 'tool' for attracting new inward investment to Easter Ross which helps contribute to the increasing diversification and robustness of the local economy. It is essential that we are able to show potential clients a ready to occupy building or at least one which is under construction.

"The development of the Dingwall Business Park has proved a real success over the past decade with the businesses located there employing in excess of 500 people. This is a result of a combination of high quality buildings, competitive rentals, good car parking and an attractive landscaped environment. With a critical mass of occupiers now established, Dingwall can now be treated seriously as an attractive office location"