Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles to lobby ministers

Scotland's three island councils are to make their case for greater powers to the Scottish Cabinet.

Shetland, Orkney and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar want islanders to have more control over resources.

The councils want this to happen whatever the result of next year's vote in the independence referendum.

Ministers are spending two days in Shetland as part of the cabinet's annual summer tour and will discuss the campaign on Thursday.

The government said it had already started discussions with the local authorities about their call for greater autonomy.

Earlier this month, the three councils said they had sought the views of Scottish and UK political leaders on their campaign called Our Islands - Our Future.

First Minister Alex Salmond, Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband have been approached.

Responses from the leaders will be discussed at a conference in Orkney in September.