The Belfast Waterfront arts and entertainment venue is to benefit from a GBP20m expansion as part of a wider GBP150m investment designed to boost the Northern Irish capital's economy.

Belfast City Council (BCC) has outlined its three-year spending plans for the city in a bid to create new jobs and to provide economic infrastructure that ensures future competitiveness.

The extension of the Belfast Waterfront complex is one highlight of the proposals, with arts, tourism and culture projects to benefit from GBP34m of local authority investment.

A further GBP75m will go towards improving council-run community facilities, which is poised to include new sports pitches and the refurbishment of community assets.

Deirdre Hargey, chair of BCC's strategic policy and resources committee, said: "This has been developed and supported by all six of the political parties on Belfast City Council.

"We will invest GBP75m towards facilities for local communities and a further GBP75m to support major partnership projects, local regeneration and key sectors such as tourism."

Details: www.belfastcity.gov.uk