Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to visit Stranraer regarding the redevelopment of the town's waterfront.

According to the BBC, Ms Sturgeon is expected to hear about the progress of the £24m redevelopment programme when she chairs the latest meeting of a task force established to regenerate the area.

It was set up after Irish Sea Ferry operator Stena Line moved to nearby Cairnryan.

Ms Sturgeon will be updated on plans to create a marina complex, and Councillor Ian Carruthers, who chairs Dumfries and Galloway Council's Planning Committee, said he hoped the project would show a commitment to help revitalise the area.

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He explained: "There has been a lot of criticism in the past about money and things not being done in Stranraer.

"Just over a couple of years ago we spent over £1.2m on the town centre, we did a lot of work there.

"There is £2.4m allocated for Stranraer waterfront including the West Pier, the slipway, there are quite a few different projects there."

Mr Carruthers said there was still around £500k left, but that the council was always looking for further Scottish government assistance.

"They have been quite good to us over in Stranraer I have to admit, so there might be a little more comes out of the pot," he added.

(JP/H)