INVERCLYDE will learn the fate of its bid to become a freeport over the next few months.

The district is part of a partnership regional bid which key players say could create 30,000 new jobs, attract £2.5 billion of investment and transform nearly 600 hectares of vacant and derelict land.

The application, including the council and Ocean Terminal operators Clydeport, has now formally been submitted and faces rivals from elsewhere in the country for the two chosen Scottish destinations.

Operators and businesses in the successful zones will benefit from a package of tax and other incentives.

Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “A successful bid would allow for potential investment into our Greenock deep sea ocean terminal, expanding capacity and continuing the ongoing regeneration of Inverclyde.

"We eagerly await the results in the coming months.

“We remain optimistic about the outcome of the bidding process, as we are confident that our bid will produce the economic results that the UK and Scottish governments are seeking.”