A hi-tech American firm is to bring 300 new jobs to Scotland, it was announced yesterday.

Altatron, based in California, is to set up an #8m plant in Lanarkshire, creating the jobs over three years.

The company will occupy part of the Hamilton International Technology Park, which is expected to be operational by October.

Scottish Office Minister Malcolm Chisholm welcomed the news: ''Today's announcement adds to Scotland's reputation as a world centre for electronics manufacture and research.

''It was vital for Altatron to locate in an area which offers excellent distribution and communication channels.''

The project was won by Locate in Scotland, the joint Scottish Office and Scottish Enterprise inward investment agency, working in partnership with Lanarkshire Development Agency and developers Akeler (Scotland) Ltd.

Altatron's corporate development vice-president Mr Ray Warrington said: ''We chose Scotland because of its proximity to a wide range of suppliers and customers and the excellent logistics infrastructure.''

He added that the technology park was well situated to take advantage of ''critical'' transport links.

Altatron was founded in 1984 and employs 650 staff at five plants in California and Texas.

qA further 100 jobs are expected to be created by Stannifer Developments in Aberdeen, which plans to transform the city's Garthdee Motel site into a retail warehouse with a fast-food restaurant.