STV has made bids for local television licences in Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee, to deliver "compelling" local news and current-affairs content, after launching Scotland's first local station in Glasgow in June.

The television channel, led by chief executive Rob Woodward and based at Glasgow's Pacific Quay, said the applications to Ofcom to be licenced for 12 years were made with Robert Gordon University, North East Scotland College, the University of the West of Scotland, Abertay University, and Dundee and Angus College.

Bobby Hain, director of channels, said that after launching in Glasgow, with Glasgow Caledonian University, STV has shown it can "engage with local communities and deliver relevant, local content across STV's multi-platforms".

STV Glasgow reaches more than 500,000 viewers a month in Glasgow and the west.

STV Edinburgh will launch in early January in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University.