A £37 million flood protection scheme has been launched in Moray.

The Forres and Pilmuir scheme completes the flood protection for the town, which has suffered regular inundation from the River Findhorn and Mosset Burn. A £21m scheme on the Mosset was opened in 2009.

The Forres (River Findhorn & Pilmuir) scheme was formally opened by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod MSP. The Scottish Government met 80% of the scheme cost, the remainder funded by Moray Council.

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Dr McLeod said: "I'm pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to provide 80 per cent of the funding that helped to bring this scheme to fruition.

"This investment demonstrates the Scottish Government's on-going commitment to do all we can to reduce flood risk in Scotland."

The scheme is one of five such projects being delivered in Moray, and at £167 million comprises the largest flood alleviation programme in Scotland.

(CD/MH)