Most people who responded wanted a new jail on the same site

Other options included building a new prison elsewhere in Aberdeenshire or even in the central belt.

Almost three dozen individuals and organisations responded to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) consultation.

The 19th Century prison houses Scotland's sex offenders, but needs to be refurbished or replaced.

Under the favoured option, the old prison would be demolished and a new prison, costing about �50m, would be built to cater for 500 prisoners.

The SPS is now expected to draw up definite plans for the Scottish Executive to consider.