A BUS hire company which is a significant employer in the area is to expand its premises after it bought disused land from the council.

Torwood Estates Ltd/Carrs of Loch Lomond will purchase an adjacent block to their existing home at the Lomond Industrial Estate in Alexandria from West Dunbartonshire Council for £170,000.

The deal was part of a raft of land sales conducted by the local authority as it raised over £1million across the Dumbarton area and Clydebank.

In addition, the property at 102 Main Street in Alexandria - which was formerly a dentist but has lain empty for a number of years - will be sold for commercial use for £43,101 plus VAT.

A light industrial unit will be created at Levenside Road in Vale of Leven Industrial Estate after it attracted an offer of £51,789 plus vat.

This is on top of £725,000 raised when selling council-owned land in Clydebank.

Councillor David McBride, convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Many of these sites have been unused for a number of years and in some cases have attracted vandalism or anti-social behaviour.

"I’m pleased that these disposals will not only bring the sites back in productive use for the benefit of our communities but also generate a capital receipt of almost £1million for the council.”