Council vehicles fuelled by vegetable oil hit the road

A bus and a bin lorry are being powered by diesel made from biomass materials

A bus and a bin lorry in the Highlands are now being run on recycled cooking oil as part of a trial scheme.

The vehicles, which have been specially adapted, are being fuelled by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

The fuel is made up from biomass materials, including recycled cooking oil, fats, greases and vegetable oils.

Highland Council said HVO was being used as a direct replacement for white diesel.

The trial forms a joint venture between Highland Council and fuel distributor Highland Fuels.

Highland Council's economy and infastructure committee chairman, Ken Gowans, said the move was "a step forward" in the authority's transition towards a cleaner future.

The local authority said the use of HVO could help cut CO2 emissions by up to 90%.

Signs have been put on the vehicles under trial.