Wide consultation has been promised over the casino plans

The Dumfries and Galloway town has been earmarked as one of eight UK locations for a small-scale development.

Councillors told the Democracy for a Change group that the licence was still subject to UK parliamentary approval.

Council convener Tommy Sloan said that the widest possible consultation would be carried out before the casino proposals were taken forward.

The group - which organised a petition last year against the casino - was told that no decisions had yet been made.

The group will continue to work towards ensuring that each and every person has the opportunity to make their preferences known David Weston Democracy for a Change

The council has set up a multi-agency Casino Social Impact Group to study the potential benefits and risks.

Mr Sloan said the authority was awaiting a code of practice for the licensing process and that in itself was likely to take three months.

"This is by no means a done deal," he said.

"I laid out our commitment to consultation and sought their views on how we could best carry this out."

David Weston, from the Democracy for a Change group, said the meeting with the authority had been positive.

Welcome opportunity

"We welcome the opportunity to discuss our intentions to ensure that the local community is kept informed at all stages of the process," he said.

"The group will continue to work towards ensuring that each and every person has the opportunity to make their preferences known."

Stranraer was the only Scottish bid recommended for the go-ahead by the Casino Advisory Panel earlier this year.

The Scottish Parliament will be consulted before the proposals go to the UK Secretary of State for Culture for final approval.