A �1.2m boost for businesses located in what is to become the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park has been announced.

The cash, which has been put up by two local enterprise companies, is designed to help create new businesses and support established firms.

But there is an emphasis on environmental concerns and the enterprise companies involved claim they are committed to putting the money towards "sustainable development".

The cash injection has been welcomed by Enterprise Minister Henry McLeish.

The money is being put up by Forth Valley Enterprise and Dunbartonshire Enterprise.

The national park comes into being in 2001 and it is hoped it will help spark a new wave of tourist interest in the area.

Stirling Councillor Gillie Thomson, who is involved with creating the park, said: "The legislation which sets up Scotland's first national park is unique in Britain because it establishes social and economic development as one of its main aims.

"This investment package underpins that strategy and will help to ensue the continued economic viability of the park as a network of living and working rural communities and not a museum piece."

The area is set to benefit from a range of investments, including �60m for the Lomond Shores project near Balloch.