Emergency structural repair work is to be carried out on fishing harbours around Scotland damaged in the recent stormy weather.

An additional £1m has been announced by the Scottish government to go towards the repairs.

The recent storms were caused by an unusual combination of south easterly gales, low pressures and high tides.

Funding will go towards the repair of sea walls and quaysides to ensure fisheries and harbours remain operational.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, speaking at the Inshore Fisheries Conference in Inverness, said:

"When I, and other Scottish Ministers, visited harbours around Scotland in the aftermath of the recent storms, the extent of the damage which had been caused was clearly evident. However what was also evident was the reaction of those affected and the sense of community spirit on show in the clean up work.

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"To do our part, the Scottish government has been working closely with the local authorities and agencies too assess the full impact and I would like to thanks all those involved for their hard work. This funding will go towards vital walls and piers and ensure the harbours will be repaired as quickly as possible."

The emergency harbour scheme fund is £400,000 per annum.

The additional £1m will ensure funding remains available following the unprecedented storm damage that occurred in December 2012.

The following funding has been allocated since December:

Highland Ports

- Lybster (Private) – Up to £100,000

- Balintore (Council operated) - Up to £100,000

- Portmahomack (Council operated) – Up to £50,000

- Wick (Trust) – Up to £250,000

NE Ports

- Lossiemouth (Private) – £23,650

- Peterhead (Trust) - Up to £250,000

East

- Dunbar (Trust) – Up to £100,000

Additional work is continuing in respect of Fraserburgh (Trust) harbour to identify damage and costs.

(IT)