A NEW body which aims to meet the training and educational needs of the oil and gas industry has been launched at the Scottish Parliament.

The Oil and Gas Academy Scotland, backed by the Scottish Funding Council, is a collaboration between the industry and the University of Aberdeen, Forth Valley College, Heriot-Watt University, North East College Scotland and Robert Gordon University.

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing was due to speak at last night's launch event at Holyrood.