A French spirits company is to open a �40m plant in West Lothian so that its whisky can be truly labelled "Product of Scotland".

La Martiniquaise is moving storage, blending and distribution of its Glen Turner malt whisky from Paris to Livingston's Starlaw Park.

Work will begin next week on the new complex, designed by architects Blyth & Blyth.

The plant, which will take about two years to complete, will employ about 200 people in the construction phase and another 50 when it is opened.

It is the best-selling whisky in France

The Scotch Whisky Association said the move was "great news" not just for those directly employed but for suppliers involved in the industry in Scotland.

West Lothian Council also welcomed the announcement.

The area has lost thousands of jobs in the past 18 months as the slump in high-tech industries led to the closure of factories such as Motorola and NEC.

La Martiniquaise said it wanted both a Scottish location and easy access to the motorway network for distribution.

Glen Turner is the largest selling malt in France, which is the third-largest export market for Scotch after the United States and Spain.