A newly refurbished running track at Elgin's Morriston Playing Fields has been officially opened by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

A majority of the preparatory work for the new track was undertaken earlier this year by offenders on community payback orders issued by the courts, while £34k of the project's funding came via a community cashback initiative which channels money seized from criminals into local community projects.

The Elgin Common Good Fund provided a further £22k towards the initiative.

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The former cinder track had badly deteriorated in condition over the years and has now been replaced with a six-lane track made of compacted crushed limestone.

Mr MacAskill said: "When people commit an offence they need to be punished first and foremost. For minor offences, it is only right and fair that this punishment includes paying back to the community with unpaid work for the harm or damage caused. That is what the community payback order is designed to do.

"Since we introduced the community payback order in 2011 and provided an extra £4million of cash seized from criminals, communities have seen the results of payback.

"The funding, combined with the unpaid work by offenders carrying out their punishment, has improved play parks, mountain bike trails, local bowling and boxing clubs across the length and breadth of Scotland.

"Morriston running track is one of 23 projects in the northern area which have benefited from total funding of almost £450,000."

(JP/CD)