A village is edging ever closer to a long-awaited reopening of its mothballed train station, but will still have to wait a year longer than the original date.

The Scottish Government has now given its approval for the compulsory purchase of land for the new station at Kintore by Aberdeenshire Council.

A land ownership issue led to the compulsory purchase order by the authority, which now has the full approval to steam ahead with submitting building plans.

Another delay has been due to the pushed-back timing of the line improvements between Aberdeen and Inverness.

The council will use the land to provide car parking and other facilities for the new station.

East Garioch councillor Martin Ford said: “I am pleased to hear that this essential stage has now been completed.

“For the station to be built, a number of requirements have to be met, one being the land for the construction which is now assured.

“Another is funding, which is already in place, and the next stage will be the planning application.”