Ash cloud cancels France-Scotland twinning visit

A group of 33 people who were expected to fly from France to Scotland for a ceremony have had to cancel the visit because of the volcanic ash cloud.

After affecting flights in Scotland on Tuesday, ash from a volcanic eruption on Iceland has since drifted over continental Europe.

The delegation from La Baule were to travel to Inverness to mark 30 years of the town and city being twinned.

Highland Council said the visit had been due to begin on Friday.

The local authority said: "The uncertainty over flights has forced the French party to cancel their visit."