Members of the public are being invited to get involved in Scotland's plans for offshore renewable energy, as the government pushes for its target of100% renewable energy by 2020.

At public meetings hosted by Marine Scotland over the next few weeks, information will be on hand about the planning process for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, and government representatives will take on board the public's views.

Environment secretary Richard Lochhead encouraged locals to share their views.

He said: "We are at an early stage in the process of identifying potential locations for offshore renewable projects. It's very important that the views of local communities are carefully considered, as we want to answer any questions and be open and accessible about how these plans are being progressed."

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All events will include a drop-in session from 13:00-18:00 and an evening presentation and discussion from 19:00-21:00.

Meetings will take place in the following locations:

• Edinburgh, September 3: Premier Inn, Morrison Street, Haymarket

• Kirkwall (Orkney), September 4: Kirkwall Town Hall, Broad Street

• Aberdeen, September 5: Camelite Hotel, Stirling Street

• Glasgow, September 6: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sauchiehall Street

• Newton Stewart (Dumfries & Galloway), September 7: McMillan Hall, Dashwood Square

• Stornoway (Lewis), September 27: Bayhead Bridge Centre, Lamont Lane

• Inverness, September 28: Crown Court Townhouse Hotel, 25 Southside Road

For more information about the government's plans, go to www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marineenergy/Planning.

(NE)