Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has urged communities to make applications to the £10 million Scottish Land Fund.

The initiative supports communities in both urban and rural areas to buy their own land and other assets.

Ms Cunningham made the call during a visit to Silverburn Village Hall in Midlothian.

The hall was previously an old water tank building which was purchased and converted into a community space by local residents in 2006.

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Ms Cunningham said: "Land reform is about opportunity. It supports and revitalises local areas by providing more opportunities for local people to have a say in decisions about land which affect them.

"Many communities have already successfully taken ownership of local land and assets, such as the village hall here in Silverburn. I want more people to make the most of community right to buy opportunities, which is why the Scottish Government increased the Scottish Land Fund to £10 million per year.

"It is now open for applications from both urban and rural communities, and I urge local groups to apply."

(LM/MH)