Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has launched a new National Development Body, with the aim of supporting more museums and galleries in Scotland.

MGS - a not-for-profit, independent charitable trust - works with more than 400 museums and galleries throughout Scotland.

Last year MGS produced a national strategy for Scotland's museums and galleries and has followed it up with its new plan "From Strategy to Action," which outlines priority areas for development and provides a structured approach to achieve the strategy targets.

"To have a government backed national agency for Scotland's museums and galleries is a powerful opportunity," said Douglas Connell, MGS chair. "Being supported by a national development body brings a distinct identity, increased profile and greater weight for the sector."

Since January 2012, MGS has invested £1.3m of Scottish government funding to more than 145 museum projects, which has been achieved through national development agency for the arts, Creative Scotland's Creative Futures programme and the Heritage Lottery Fund's Skills for the Future scheme.

£100m in public sector funding helps to support the sector, which has an estimated turnover of £271m and visitor spend of £662m with around 25 million visits every year.

To see the "From Strategy to Action" plan click here.