MORE than £8 million of public cash is to be used to create a waterfront area around the new V&A Museum in Dundee.

Scottish Enterprise is providing money for the work, and it hailed the transformation of the area as a "nationally important project" which would "pave the way" for the museum.

Work on the £45m V&A Museum of Design Dundee is due to begin this summer. The building, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is expected to be completed by late 2016.

The Scottish Government has already committed £15m to the project, and the £8.3m from Scottish Enterprise is separate funding.

The team behind the plan said the V&A Dundee would appear to "float" within two pools of water, reinforcing the connection between the museum and the River Tay.

Finance Secretary John Swinney announced the latest funding, saying: "The financial support from the Scottish Government via Scottish Enterprise will regenerate the Dundee central waterfront and will offer views over the river, the city and the museum. This in turn will create local jobs and contribute significantly to the regeneration of the city itself."

He added: "The V&A project is a fantastic, once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city to reinvent itself and enjoy greater economic success. I am delighted the Scottish Government is part of this ground-breaking development."

Scottish Enterprise director Mick McHugh said: "This is a nationally important project which will pave the way for the V&A Dundee, which will be transformational for the local and national economies, in terms of visitor numbers and jobs, with more than 860 net construction, tourism and waterfront district jobs anticipated in the next decade.

"After the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao opened there was a 25% increase in employment in its tourism and hospitality sectors, with knock-on job increases in other sectors, and we are already seeing very encouraging investment in the hotel sector in Dundee."

The scheme is part of a £1 billion transformation of the waterfront which is due to take place until 2031.

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild said: "I am pleased Dundee has secured this funding from Scottish Enterprise. This promenade will add an extra dimension to the V&A Dundee and make it even more attractive for local people, visitors and investors."