Major plans to transform the former Ravenscraig steelworks site have received a multi-million pound boost.

Eight Glasgow City Region councils backed a revised Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access (RIA) project, which is part of plans expected to create 6500 jobs and generate around £360m per year for the local economy.

They added £66m to £29.7m from North Lanarkshire Council for transport connectivity and road infrastructure improvements.

The scheme, part of the wider Pan-Lanarkshire Orbital Corridor project, will see new and upgraded roads from the M74 at Motherwell through Ravenscraig to the M8 at Eurocentral and onward past Airdrie on a new link road to the A73 south of Cumbernauld.

This infrastructure project will support Ravenscraig Ltd's masterplan for the 455 hectares steelworks site - one of Europe's largest brownfield regeneration sites, which accounts for 13 per cent of the Glasgow City Region's vacant and derelict land.

The plan, which will be considered by North Lanarkshire Council in coming weeks, includes 3000 houses, five primary schools, nursery provision and an extension to the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

It could also see a new seven hectare town park and more than 110,000sq m of office, industrial and retail space.

Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "The regeneration of Ravenscraig is of major strategic and economic importance to North Lanarkshire and the wider area.

"The £201m Pan-Lankarkshire Orbital project represents the biggest single roads and infrastructure investment in North Lanarkshire's history, and our focus must be on those projects that will attract investment to the arena and be of the greatest economic benefit to our communities."

The Glasgow City Region City Deal, secured by eight local authorities, will see over £1bn investment across Glasgow and the Clyde Valley.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "This project has the potential to transform Ravenscraig and will help to attract significant private sector investment to bring new homes and businesses to the site.

"The UK Government is funding vital projects right across Scotland and to date have committed more than £1.35bn to City Region and Growth Deals."

Scottish Government Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said: "The Scottish Government has committed to invest £500m in the Glasgow City Region Deal in pursuit of long-term, sustainable economic growth.

"I am pleased to see North Lanarkshire Council and the wider Glasgow City Region continue to drive this deal forward and work together in the best interests of the regional company."