A major US glass company is investing £25m in Alloa's whisky bottle plant.

Owens-Illinois Inc, one of the world's largest glass container manufacturers, is spending £230m upgrading its operations across Europe.

The firm said the investment would safeguard 600 jobs at the Clackmannanshire site and see improved facilities installed.

The cash, which includes a £3.9m grant from Scottish Enterprise, was welcomed by the first minister.

The Alloa site has a 260-year history of glassmaking, and millions of bottles are processed there every year.

Fears were raised last year over work moving to other bottling facilities in the UK, but the firm said the new investment would make the near-600 jobs at the plant safe.

Erik Bouts, president of Owens-Illinois Europe, said, "We have upgraded Alloa's design, new product development, glass colour and decoration facilities.

"We would like to thank Scottish Enterprise for its support in strengthening our ability to service the developing needs of the spirits industry in Scotland."