Environmental groups have issued a call for volunteers to help look out for and monitor new hilltracks in Scotland.

Campaigners from the Scottish Environment LINK hilltracks group are predicting a sharp increase in hilltrack construction activity as winter snows start to recede.

Therefore, the LINK hilltracks group, supported by the John Muir Trust and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, are asking walkers across Scotland for help.

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The groups are concerned poorly built hilltracks will cause landscape and environmental damage as no planning permission is required if the route is for agricultural or forestry purposes.

Since December 2014, all landowners must give prior notification to local authorities of their intention to develop new hill tracks or carry out improvement of existing tracks in the hope this will increase understanding of the issue and improve construction standards.

Mel Nicoll, Campaigns co-ordinatorfor the John Muir Trust, said: "Monitoring hilltracks is in the public interest. It’s important that we know if the right balance between appropriate access and unnecessary landscape degradation is being struck."

(LM)