FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon opened a new £17.7 million Albert Bartlett potato chilling facility in Airdrie yesterday.

The facility was backed by the Scottish Government with £4m funding – the largest ever Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant. This has also led to the creation of 35 jobs for the area.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the investment “demonstrates our commitment to help food and drink companies, large and small”.