Diageo whisky expansion plans unveiled for Speyside

Image caption, Diageo has submitted a planning application for a redevelopment of its Dailuaine complex

A leading drinks manufacturer has unveiled plans to expand its whisky production operation in Speyside.

Diageo has submitted a planning application to Moray Council for a 拢9.5m redevelopment of its Dailuaine distillery complex.

Diageo said the upgrade would open up the potential for future increases in production capacity across Speyside.

A consultation exercise with local residents is expected to get under way this week.

Diageo is also developing proposals aimed at boosting production capacity at other existing distilleries within the next two to three years.

The company's malt distilling director, Brian Higgs, said: "Scotch whisky has never been more popular around the world.

"Speyside is already at the heart of our malt distilling operations and I am delighted that, beginning with the Dailuaine proposal, we are looking at further enhancing our business in this area."

Speyside is home to 17 of Diageo's 28 malt whisky distilleries in Scotland.

Last year the firm opened its new Roseisle distillery, near Elgin, at a cost of 拢40m.