Clydebank's shopping centre has been announced as a finalist in a major initiative to honour Glasgow's leading businesses.

The centre's inclusion in the shortlist for the prestigious award has been welcomed as "fantastic news" for the town.

It comes amid fears that shop closures and competition from Braehead at Renfrew could be jeopardising the centre's future.

This week, West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl said Clyde Shopping Centre's nomination as a finalist in the competition, run by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, would help boost morale.

He said: "It's fantastic news which will be warmly welcomed by everyone concerned at the centre."

And Andrew Forrester, shopping centre manager, said he was delighted the centre had been shortlisted for such a prestigious award.

This is the third time in the past five years Clyde Shopping Centre has been nominated in the Glasgow Business Awards, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The centre is a finalist in the sustainable development category.

The Post reported in June that councillors were concerned about the future of the centre and vowed to protect it.

At the time, Councillor McColl said: “With the uncertainty of Brexit, the continuing drain of Westminster austerity and a trend towards online shopping, it’s important that the council keeps an eye on this important local asset and does what we can to secure its future.”

He told the Post this week: "Owner Edinburgh House is doing a good marketing job and we are seeing positive results. Their work is paying off and a lot more units are occupied, with fewer empty spaces. This encourages others to come along and shows we are very much alive and kicking.

"We consider it to be a regional shopping centre, with shoppers coming not just from Clydebank but from throughout the area. We want it to be a nice place where people cam come and spend time."

Other councillors also share the council leader's optimism, with the Queens Quay investment, new leisure centre, care home, health centre and other developments being cited as very positive developments in the town.

In addition, potentially 100 new homes on the former St Andrew’s High site and 50 council homes in Clydebank East, are expected to bring in an additional 3,000 people to the area which will be a big boost for the centre.

And plans for a new £70m bridge will help make access to jobs in Braehead and Glasgow Airport more accessible and will open up learning opportunities at the West of Scotland University in Paisley.