Aberdeenshire Council has agreed to invest in a multi-million pound community sports facility at Hill of Banchory.

The project will be a partnership between North Banchory Company, Bandswim and Aberdeenshire Council.

Building work is expected to begin in 2016, which will see the creation of a sports facility based on a six-lane swimming pool with extended dry sport facilities, replacing the existing pool and sports hall at Banchory Academy.

Henry Allen, chair of Bandswim said: "As part of this public/private partnership, Bandswim, the trustees of over £200,000 in cash and pledges, are committed to raising additional funds to ensure that a top quality facility is built.

"Therefore we are now very keen to find new people to provide fresh blood and maintain momentum to see this project through to completion."