HUNDREDS of jobs are set to be created and 850 safeguarded under a multi-million pound investment programme announced today.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward said it planned to invest £9.65m in advanced engineering to help companies and researchers.

And £3.1m of private sector funding will be spent on the programme, which is aimed at boosting workers' skills and creating jobs.

Universities and business in the Yorkshire and Humber region will be able to bid for funding to develop projects. About 500 jobs are predicted to be created.

Meanwhile, the harbour at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is in line to receive a £450,000 investment to build pontoons for yachts in the inner harbour.

The scheme is designed to help compensate for the decline in the fishing industry.

Graham Price of the borough council, said: "The scheme will significantly enhance the harbour environment both for users and tourists and will provide additional income to help sustain the harbour."

Future work will include looking at the fishing industry facilities, improvements to the Sandside and North Wharf areas, rebuilding the RNLI lifeboathouse and creating a piazza.

Mr Price said the schemes were all part of the multi-million pound renaissance of Scarborough led by Yorkshire Forward.