A new £60 million green hydrogen site could be built near a distillery in Clydebank, creating more than 130 jobs.

Plans have been put forward by Marubeni Europower and Suntory Global Spirits to create a small-scale hydrogen plant to decarbonise whisky production at Auchentoshan Distillery.

If given the green light by West Dunbartonshire Council, the project called HyClyde Auchentoshan would create jobs during the construction phase and provide a further boost for local supply chains.

It would also make Auchentoshan one of the first distilleries powered by green hydrogen.

If approved, the plant would produce hydrogen using renewable energy sources through a process called electrolysis.

The hydrogen would then be used to power the distillery.

A two-stage community consultation event is due to be held at the distillery in Clydebank with the first taking place on August 22 from 12pm to 7pm, where people can meet the project team and ask questions about the plans.

The second event will take place later in the year.

The community has been encouraged to get in touch for more information at HyClyde@bigpartnership.co.uk or via 0141 648 5806.

Yomogi Kato, of Marubeni Europower, said: "HyClyde Auchentoshan is an innovative project that will help to future-proof the energy requirements of Auchentoshan Distillery.

"We appreciate the council’s forward-looking approach, and HyClyde Auchentoshan could be a catalyst to help it achieve its ambitious sustainability goals.

"Inviting the local community to learn more about our proposals is an important milestone as we target a planning submission later this year and we look forward to hearing their feedback."

Alistair Leckenby, environmental and sustainability manager at Suntory Global Spirits, added: "Auchentoshan Distillery is a much-loved and long-standing part of the Clydebank community and we look forward to that continuing as we partner with Marubeni Europower to make this historic distillery even more sustainable."