BUSINESSES are being urged to come up with plans for growth after the tough trading conditions of recent years.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) have both called on companies to look at future opportunities.

They made the plea ahead of their joint business convention later this week in Edinburgh.

The FSB said it was encouraging firms to "seek out new opportunities and modernise their plans."

Finance Secretary John Swinney and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore are expended to attend the convention.