The long-awaited findings of a review into the under-threat Stracathro Hospital have been revealed to MSPs.

Tayside Health Board chiefs briefed politicians about what they believe to be the future of acute services at the hospital.

Hostilities surrounding the Angus hospital came to a head when staff and management appeared before the Scottish Health Committee.

Bosses were accused of slowly starving the centre of cash and services as part of a secret agenda to have it closed down.

The staff's allegations have been supported by a separate written submission by a group of local GPs.

But management insisted all decisions had been based on sound economic sense and had been taken in the interests of patients.

In its report into the dispute, the committee criticised the health board and the local NHS trust for failing to consult properly with staff and the public over their plans.

The decision by MSPs to consider the matter was prompted by a 25,000 petition demanding the parliament's intervention.

Earlier this year, Stracathro Hospital managers announced proposals to close the elderly and orthopaedic wards and integrate them into other units in an effort to make a �3m saving.

They also announced plans to move the stroke rehabilitation facility to an upgraded ward.

The long awaited review is to be published next week.