DEPUTY First Minister John Swinney arrived in North Ayrshire last week for a major business conference.

Mr Swinney was an invited guest of North Ayrshire Council and its Team North Ayrshire venture for a presentation titled 'Our Economic Vision for North Ayrshire'.

Over 200 businesses and partner organisations attended the conference alongside NAC Leader Willie Gibson and Chief Executive Elma Murray.

Mr Swinney gave the keynote address and also provided an update on the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy – a year after it was officially launched.

The Deputy First Minister said: “I believe that the Economic Strategy sets out the right direction of travel and sets out our ambition to boost inclusive economic growth and raise productivity in Scotland.

“One year on from the launch of the strategy, I remain committed to working with all of our partners to make further progress, but it is important to note that significant progress has already been made in recent years.

“It is heartening to see that regions such as North Ayrshire are matching the ambition of the national economic strategy.

“The approach adopted here in North Ayrshire has brought renewed focus to the local economy – helping to drive recent improvements in the regional labour market, and there is further scope to build on this momentum.”