Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond has opened up the new headquarters of a construction firm in Aberdeen.

The new building, which cost £2.5 million to construct, will be the home of Leiths Scotland.

Around 500 people are employed by the company, which has an annual turnover of £60 million.

Alex Salmond said: "The construction sector is an important part of the Scottish economy and the Scottish government is doing all it can to support the sector in the current financial climate.

"We have outlined a £35 billion infrastructure investment programme for the next decade, with £3.8 billion being spent this year on transport projects, schools and hospitals."

Ian Leith, chairman of Leiths, added that he was "very pleased" that the first minister attended the opening.

It is the second time in recent weeks that Mr Salmond has visited Aberdeen to see construction projects - last week he attended the opening of a new green energy centre in the city.