Plea to save coastguard station

THE leaders of four Highlands and Islands councils will today demand a halt to plans to close one of Scotland's coastguard stations, at a meeting with shipping minister Mike Pennington in London.

Sir Alan Massey, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's chief executive, is also due to fly to Shetland later this week to discuss the agency's modernisation proposals. Sandy Cluness, the convener of Shetland Islands Council, said the council leaders were "united in anger and outrage" at the proposed Coastguard station closures.

Mr Cluness, who is backed by Highland, Orkney and Western Isles local authorities, said: "The communities affected by the proposed cuts are totally united in their opposition."