Work has been completed on a key section of an £86m flood alleviation scheme in Elgin.

Glen Moray Distillery, which is located on the banks of the River Lossie on the periphery of the town, has flooded a number of times, most recently in 2009, but work has now been completed on measures to protect the distillery and its visitor centre in the event of future flooding.

Over the last nine months, a 100m reinforced concrete wall has been constructed to hold back floodwater, as well as a 215m earth embankment.

Councillor George Alexander, who chairs Moray Council's flood alleviation sub-committee, visited the site to see the completed works. He said: "The Elgin flood scheme is the biggest of its kind ever undertaken in Scotland and will save hundreds of homes and businesses from the kind of flooding they have suffered too often in the past.

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"One of those businesses is Glen Moray, which has been in production on this site for more than a century and which is a major contributor to the local economy.

"I am delighted that this phase of the flood scheme has been completed and that Glen Moray can get on with the job of producing Scotch whisky, free from worries about flooding."

Glen Moray manager, Graham Coull, added: "It is a great relief to have these flood prevention measures in place. September 2009 – the last time we were flooded out – is etched in my memory and it is reassuring now to know that the work here has been completed.

"We have worked closely with the council and the flood alleviation team and I'm pleased to say that the flood works were carried out without disruption to everyday distillery operations."

Work on the remainder of the Elgin scheme is continuing to progress, with a completion date scheduled for spring 2015.

(JP/MH)