MACDUFF Shipyards has won a £3.3 million contract to build vessels for Scottish Sea Farms.

The salmon farmer said it is buying four steel feed barges and two landing craft as part of an ongoing investment programme in its operations.

John Watt, managing director of Macduff, said: "The contract will be completed in the Macduff and Buckie yards and this type of project allows us to plan for the future.

"The yard has just taken on 10 new apprentices this year and increased the workforce to cover the additional work."