The head of the independent team investigating the foot-and-mouth crisis has promised to listen intently to those affected by the outbreak in Scotland.

Dr Iain Anderson made the pledge as he and his team prepared to visit key sites in Dumfries and Galloway and hold a public meeting in Lockerbie.

The inquiry chairman, from Perthshire, said he recognised the toll exacted on Scotland by the disease.

Iain Anderson: "Catastrophic epidemic"

He said: "Scotland suffered greatly during the spread of the catastrophic epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease last year.

"Even where I live, in Perthshire, I saw the repercussions every day.

"I am determined to hear the facts of this suffering to inform my report fully and properly so that I can present the lessons to be learned for the future."

The team has been charged with seeing at first hand those areas worst affected by last year's crisis.

They have embarked on a two-day visit north of the border, the third in a series around Britain.

Final report

A final report will be submitted giving recommendations to the UK Government on the handling of any future animal disease outbreak.

Dr Anderson was due to meet representatives of the groups most affected by the crisis as well as those involved in tackling the disease.

The inquiry team has already visited Devon and Wales and expects to submit its final report to the government in the middle of this year.

The independent investigation is one of three announced in August to look at the foot-and-mouth outbreak.