A new national marine renewable energy centre is to help lay the foundations for an industry based on wave and tidal movements.

Four organisations have joined forces to create the UK Centre for Marine Renewable Energy, following a government grant of £50m.

They include the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland.

The aim is to carry out research and development to help provide renewable energy.

Other organisations involved are the University of Edinburgh, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

The Blyth centre will be used to test large-scale models of energy-producing wind and wave power devices.

Minister for Energy, Stephen Timms, said: "This partnership offers a real forward facing group that can facilitate the development of a sustainable marine renewable energy industry.

"This will help to develop test standardisation and certification, as well as training and development, which are vital to create the foundations for a sustainable marine energy industry."