The length of Scotland's water industry regulatory period will be increased by 12 months to 2015, the country's infrastructure minister Stewart Stevenson has confirmed.

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This will provide a boost to those in utilities jobs, because the water industry will be provided with a steady rather than fluctuating supply of work.

Mr Stevenson said that he was determined to help companies and protect the jobs of those involved in the water sector as the economic downturn takes its toll.

"These changes will give customers greater certainty on charges and enable Scottish Water and the construction industry to plan more effectively for the future," he explained.

"Maintaining a framework of stable and affordable charges while improving levels of service will continue to be a main priority for the industry."

Scottish Water will shortly be embarking on a 24-week scheme of water supply improvement work in Dumfries.

The company is investing £1.2 million in the region's water network, which should help to safeguard a number of energy jobs.