The Scottish Government has said it is to make funding available to help residents make their communities better places to live.

The announcement, made by Planning Minister Derek Mackay, will see £100,000 set aside for planning authorities to run community participation projects which will help develop a vision for the future of their communities.

The cash will support design projects, known as charrettes, and will allow local residents and businesses to work with expert teams to create future ideas for their local area. The charrettes are part of a process to simplify and modernise the planning system and will shape future planning projects through Local Development Plans.

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Previous funding generated town masterplans for Wick and Thurso, a strategic plan for the long-term future of communities in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, as well as a strategy for planning housing developments in the South Wishaw area.

The fund is available for up to half the cost of projects taking place before the end of March 2014.

Mr Mackay said: "Local communities are the bedrock of our society. It is only right that in designing our towns and neighbourhoods we involve those who know them best – the people who live there.

"£100,000 funding is being made available to help create proposals for the future of towns and villages, with the promise of more to come.

"This support ensures that everyone can be involved in having their say on the long- term future of their community.

"The previous Scottish Government funded projects have helped energise communities and create a momentum for change from Caithness to Dumfries, Tyndrum to Lochgelly and Johnstone to Aberdeen."

(JP/CD)