Dumfries and Galloway councillors strategy to deal with eyesore sites left to decay by their owners in prominent locations has hit a funding block after a report said cost and risks of the policy were "considerable".

A report to the planning committee said: "Any decision to roll out such a strategy would come with risks

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"The council would be seeking to develop an interventionist role in relation to properties under private sector ownership and could leave itself open to legal challenge and any costs which may result."

Councillors had hoped to establish a region wide strategy for dealing with derelict, privately-owned properties in prominent location, the council contacted six other authorities and found out that none of them had such a strategy.

The report concluded no funds currently available for introducing such a strategy.

It also added that at least two full-time and one part-time staff would need to be employed to implement the scheme.

(GK/JM)