Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE) is extending the service it offers in the east Moray area by opening a new office in Buckie.

Due to open in the spring, it will provide individuals, businesses and organisations in Buckie and other communities in the area with improved access to the range of advice, assistance and investment packages MBSE and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Network can offer.

Currently these services are provided from the local enterprise company's headquarters at The Enterprise Park, Forres.

From its new location, in the heart of east Moray, the team of MBSE staff based there will be better placed to address the particular economic challenges facing the area.

In recent years, the coastal communities have been seriously affected by the downturn in the fishing sector, which has had a significant impact on traditional industries based on engineering and the sea. Inland, Keith has also lost a large part of its traditional employment base, resulting in a lack of investment and loss of confidence in the future in the town and its surrounding communities.

Formerly part of Scottish Enterprise, east Moray was included in the HIE network area in April 2001 following a reorganisation of the enterprise networks.

Since then, MBSE, which is part of the HIE network, has provided substantial assistance to a range of projects in the area. Last year funding from the local enterprise company saw the completion of a £1.5million upgrading of Buckie Shipyard, safeguarding nearly 60 full-time jobs in the town.

Douglas Yule, chief executive of MBSE, said the opening of the new office was an important development in the local enterprise company's strategy for the area.

He added: "We are deeply committed to helping the communities of east Moray tackle the challenges facing them and having a team based in the area is a significant development in our continuing efforts to do that.

"We are very keen to see individuals, businesses and organisations come on board and work with us to secure more development and create more prosperity for the area and by establishing a strong presence here we hope that will encourage them to do so.

"The aims of MBSE and the HIE network are to strengthen communities, develop skills, grow businesses and create global connections - and this new office will play a key part in achieving those goals in east Moray."

MBSE chairman Derek Bedford said: "It is very important that people in all parts of the MBSE area feel they have ready access to the services we provide.

"This new office will provide a valuable asset for east Moray. The area has suffered economic setbacks in recent years and securing a brighter future depends on communities, businesses and public agencies working together."

Local councillor Bill Jappy welcomed MBSE's latest development in the area.

He said: "An office in Buckie will be a welcome addition and make local people more aware of the assistance that the local enterprise company can offer."

Bob Stewart, director of environmental services at The Moray Council said: "Buckie certainly faces some considerable economic problems. A local office can only assist the community and is to be welcomed".