A major overhaul of the way enterprise agencies operate across Scotland was today announced by finance secretary John Swinney.

He told the Scottish Parliament that the country's 21 local enterprise companies are to be ditched and replaced instead with six regional operations.

And responsibility for business support through Business Gateways, as well as local regeneration, will now be transferred to local councils.

Ministers will also now sit on a strategic forum with representatives from Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland to provide clear Government leadership and ensure collaborative working.

He also confirmed an announcement earlier today from education secretary Fiona Hyslop that most skills and training are to be transferred from enterprise networks to a new single skills body.

Mr Swinney told MSPs today: "The government has pursued two objectives in designing the structures to implement our economic strategy.

"Firstly, we have been determined to establish a clear focus within the enterprise agencies on fulfilling what we consider to be their core purpose of assisting enterprise development in Scotland.

"Secondly, we have been determined to create greater cohesion in the provision of local economic and enterprise development services in Scotland.

"Our plans will enable Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to focus on what they are good at and also enable Scotland's local authorities - important partners in our efforts to build Scottish success - to do more to support businesses in their area."