Footballer turns supporter

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has lent his support to a campaign to save Britain's most northerly coastguard station from closure.

The Sunderland footballer said he was "saddened" to hear the Shetland Coastguard station in Lerwick is under threat.

Plans aim to reduce the number of stations, leaving two 24-hour centres, one based in Aberdeen, with "sub-centres" in other areas, but 5,000 protesters have joined the Save Shetland Coastguard campaign.

Mr Gordon said: "I have family on Shetland and some very happy memories of visiting the Coastguard station in Lerwick as a child, so naturally I'm saddened to hear of its possible closure.

"I know that the weather can be so unpredictable and hugely unforgiving around the islands so I wholeheartedly support the people of Shetland in their bid to retain its services."