Pennan flooding anger a year on

Hundreds of tonnes of mud and rock swept onto Pennan

Residents of Pennan have hit out a year after being hit by serious landslides.

Some have criticised their local MP, First Minister Alex Salmond, for what they said was a lack of support.

Pennan harbourmaster Baden Gibson told BBC Scotland he was disappointed early visits from Banff and Buchan MP Mr Salmond had not led to more being done.

Mr Salmond said a full resolution was a matter of ongoing discussion between Aberdeenshire Council, the Scottish Government and landowners.

The government said substantial work to remove loose debris and any immediate danger was undertaken and completed in November 2007.

'Just awful'

Pennan, and its red phone box, found fame thanks to Bill Forsyth's 1983 film Local Hero, starring Burt Lancaster.

However, the Aberdeenshire village also made less welcome headlines last August after hundreds of tonnes of mud and rock swept down onto homes from the cliffside.

Locals want to ensure Pennan retains its picturesque charm

No-one was injured but it caused serious damage to homes and the village hall.

The clear-up is still ongoing, with only the roof of the badly-damaged hall said to have had repairs started, although all homes in the village are fully occupied.

The village hall is due to be restored in the autumn, however, there have been insurance difficulties.

Mr Gibson said: "Alex Salmond, give him his due, came here right away and said everything will be fixed.

"I am really disappointed that since then there's been absolutely nothing. It's just been promises, nothing has happened."

Pennan Village Hall secretary Brenda Kutchinsky said: "It's just awful actually. We keep getting told it's going to be started. It's not moving on."

Locals said they wanted to try to ensure there was never a repeat so Pennan could retain its picturesque charm.

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