Scottish government financial aid activated after storms

Councils are to be allowed to apply for emergency funding to help deal with the damage caused by the weekend storms.

The Scottish government has activated the Bellwin scheme, which aids local authorities with costs in the wake of large-scale incidents.

Towns such as Stonehaven and Peterhead and North Berwick were badly affected.

Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs the storms were the worst in a lifetime and that the government was collating an assessment of the damage.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "It is vital that nothing should deter local authorities from moving quickly to recovery and repair of the extensive damage caused by this weekend's storms.

"We look forward to working with those councils who apply to the scheme to ensure that resources are made available as appropriate."