WEST Fife could receive a jobs bonanza as Heathrow searches for the Scottish site to help deliver its new runway.

Forth Ports Rosyth, Longannet and Rosyth Business Park are all in contention as Heathrow Airport representatives visit the sites.

During each tour, prospective bidders will have the opportunity to demonstrate the strengths of their proposal to become a Logistics Hub.

The project is expected to generate 16,000 new jobs and deliver up to £17 billion in economic benefits in Scotland.

Four hubs will be chosen from across the UK, with Scotland guaranteed one as part of a commitment outlined in Heathrow's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Scottish Government.

Scottish Enterprise are promoting Longannet as a potential hub in a bid to rejuvenate the surrounding area following the power station's closure in March 2016.

The plant, near Kincardine, had been generating electricity for 46 years, with 230 jobs directly lost following the decision to close.

It's thought that up to 1,000 indirect jobs were also lost and the cost to the local economy was put up at around £50 million.

If selected, the chosen hubs will participate in off-site construction of the London airport's third runway.

Lord Deighton, chairman at Heathrow Airport said: “Heathrow Expansion is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the UK construction industry, build for the future and deliver a lasting skills legacy for future generations. All of this comes at a pivotal time for our country, as it prepares itself to leave the EU and where we need to build for our future in both travel and trade.

“An expanded Heathrow will deliver for Scotland and these Logistics Hubs and Business Summits are instrumental in our aim to ensure that expansion spreads the potential £17 billion in economic benefits across the nation. Working in partnership with the Scottish Government, we’re working to deliver an expansion plan that strengthens Scotland. The airport has worked hard to support domestic routes to four different Scottish Cities and looks forward to seeing the nation play a key role in this crucial project.”

The Press reported in November that Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman was set to meet airport bosses to boost the prospective West Fife sites' chances.

He said: “Three of the sites are in West Fife – the most of any constituency in Scotland.

“We are well placed to be a frontrunner for this – Rosyth had a major hand in building pre-fabricated units for Terminal 5 at Heathrow."

Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “A guaranteed Heathrow Logistics Hubs in Scotland ensures that Scottish businesses of all sizes will benefit from supply chain opportunities that an expanded Heathrow will bring. The longlist of ten Scottish sites demonstrates the quality and calibre of our business base, primed and ready to secure jobs and boost economic growth for Scotland.

“Heathrow is already hugely supportive of SMEs, including providing Business Summits to connect them to top suppliers as well as grants to help them find new export opportunities, supporting jobs at home. More broadly, Heathrow expansion will bring up to £17bn in economic benefits in Scotland alone – it is of vital importance that this project is delivered to unlock growth across Scotland.”

Heathrow will also be hosting a business summit in Glasgow on Monday, September 10, for potential small business and enterprises the chance to help deliver the expansion.