A deadly seal virus that has killed more than 1,000 animals on the east coast of England has spread to Scotland.

Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) has been confirmed by vets in Inverness in a common seal found washed ashore at Dornoch on the Moray Firth.

The Scottish Environment Minister, Ross Finnie, said it was a worrying development for Scotland's coastal communities.

He said: "We are working closely with a group of organisations to co-ordinate a response to the latest outbreak.

Animals are treated at a wildlife hospital

"We'll put in place a range of measures to minimise its impact."

The virus has already killed around one third of the seal population off the east coast of England around the Wash.

It has also killed animals throughout the waters of northern Europe.

There is no known cure for the virus, nor any way of preventing it.

Although the virus is not dangerous to humans, people are being advised not touch any seals washed ashore and to keep their dogs away.

In 1988, an outbreak of the PDV virus caused the death of 17-18,000 common seals and 300-400 grey seals throughout northern Europe.

In Scotland more than 1,300 common seals died.