The Prime Minister has vowed to support the struggling North Sea oil industry.

David Cameron told MPs he will visit Aberdeen on Thursday to outline the UK Government's plans to help the sector.

The First Minister has urged Mr Cameron to sign a £2.9bn agreement which could help prop-up the ailing industry.

Nicola Sturgeon said approving the Aberdeen City Region Deal would demonstrate the government's support for North Sea oil and gas.

On Wednesday, Mr Cameron told parliament: "The oil price decline is the longest in 20 years and nearly the steepest, and this causes real difficulties for the North Sea and we can see the effects in the east of England, across Scotland - particularly in Aberdeen - and in other parts of our country too.

"I'm determined we build a bridge to the future for all those involved in the North Sea.

"We're going to help the sector export its world-class expertise. We're going to help the economies diversify. We've announced £1.3bn of support last year for the North Sea. We're implementing the Wood review.

"I'll be going to Aberdeen tomorrow where we'll be saying more about what we can do to help this vital industry at this vital time."

The announcement came hours after Shell revealed plans for a £34bn takeover of gas giant BG Group. The deal could be signed next month if BG shareholders approve the plan on this week.

Shell's investors have raised concerns that the low price of oil, which has hovered around $30 a barrel for two weeks, means the Anglo-Dutch firm could be overpaying for British company BG.

Ms Sturgeon has called on the UK Government to use March's budget to cut North Sea taxes and ease pressure on the industry. The First Minister said chancellor George Osborne should take "urgent action" to protect jobs.

Tens of thousands have been let go at companies including Shell, BP, Talisman, Wood Group and Schlumberger since the value of Brent crude halved from a high of $110 a barrel in June 2014.

In September, Oil and Gas UK estimated that the number of people employed across the British sector has fallen by 65,000 since January 2014, with Scotland thought to have been worst hit.