Protesters are being removed from an open cast mine development in South Lanarkshire.

Permission has been granted for Scottish Coal to mine about 1.7 million tonnes of coal at the Mainshill Wood Scottish Coal site in Douglas.

Around 30 campaigners against the mining had dug themselves in and put up barricades.

An eviction notice was granted earlier this month.

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Speaking to BBC Scotland, a protester, who identified himself as Ross said: "When we occupied this place there was illegal work happening. There was tree-felling and drilling to work out the extent of coal reserves on the site and that was something we wanted to stop because it contravenes the planning permissions.

"So they have been removing all that machinery from the site this morning."

He added: "We are hoping Scottish Coal will wake up and see what level of community opposition there is to this project and how many people don't want a mine on their doorstep."

Ross said many protesters are still on the site.

Strathclyde Police said officers were dealing with the situation.

(GK/JM)