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BT is creating 150 new engineering jobs in Scotland to support the rollout of fibre broadband.

The company said 90 posts would be located in the Highlands and Islands, with others in Dundee, Aberdeen, the central belt and south of Scotland.

The recruitment comes after BT won contracts to install connections across the country

BT said it expected fibre broadband to be ready in 85% of Scottish premises by 2015, with 95% of coverage by 2017.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the news was a welcome boost to the job market.

She added: "These jobs come on the back of our recent announcement of a high-speed broadband network, created in partnership with BT.

"This initiative will connect communities across rural and urban areas, providing a platform for future economic development and regeneration."

'Growing sector'

Brendan Dick, director of BT Scotland, said: "Faster broadband will help to fuel local economies across rural and urban Scotland and the jobs we're creating are part of that."

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is leading the region's £146m next-generation broadband project in partnership with BT.

Carroll Buxton, director of regional development for HIE, said the rollout of high speed broadband across the area would bring significant development opportunities.

She added: "The new jobs being created during the implementation phase are an additional benefit and HIE welcomes the opportunity for individuals in the region to take advantage of them to establish a career in this growing sector."