Salmond makes pledge to villagers

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Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has promised residents of a village devastated by mudslides that it would be restored to its former glory.

He made the pledge during a visit to Pennan, Aberdeenshire, a week after torrential rain caused the damage.

Mr Salmond, who is also MP for the village, listened to public concerns during a meeting at the Pennan Inn.

There are currently detailed studies being carried out on the state of cliffs behind the village.

The homes of residents living in the coastal setting had to be evacuated when the summer downpour hit.

Three-point plan

The majority are now back in their homes, but the clean-up is only just under way.

Mr Salmond, the MP for Banff and Buchan, said that locals were pleased that work was being carried out to assess the safety of the cliffs.

However, he believed it was vital that there was no gap between concluding that assessment and carrying out the work needed to keep the cliffs safe.

Mr Salmond explained that there were three main ways of making things safe.

He said: "Firstly, we need to channel water - this near disaster was caused by the force of water.

"Secondly things like chain rock has been identified as perhaps having bigger cracks than it used to have. If that is the case then you can secure rocks, you just don't have to let it happen.

"Thirdly, of course, is to provide a protection or netting to protect against individual bits of cliff coming down."

Mr Salmond added: "It's my job to make sure that the action follows the investigation to make Pennan safe and restore it to its former glory."