A carbon capture company has landed support of nearly £1m from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

It allows The Carbon Removers – based near Crocketford – to launch a major fundraising drive towards its aim of removing one million tonnes of carbon every year by 2030.

The investment is designed to unlock further funding and help the company expand across the UK and Europe.

The firm specialises in capturing and storing CO2 released from organic processes such as fermentation, whisky distillation or biogas plants.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said carbon capture and storage was of the “utmost importance to Scotland’s climate and economic transition to net zero”.

“It’s great to see SOSE supporting a home-grown company leading the charge both here and in Europe,” she added.

“This will create further jobs and boost the economy both for the region and across Scotland.”

Richard Nimmons, co-founder of The Carbon Removers, said it was proud to be based in southern Scotland and “excited to grow” its carbon capture skills internationally.

Russel Griggs, who chairs SOSE, added: “We have worked closely with The Carbon Removers from the beginning of their journey, which included playing a vital role in the roll-out of the Covid Pfizer vaccine.

“They have now grown and diversified into carbon removal and storage internationally – all from their original site in the tiny village of Crocketford, where they continue to be based.”