Airport firefighters will be on call to tackle house blazes in the Hebrides under a new agreement.

Crews based at Barra, Islay and Tiree airports will support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in emergencies.

In return, SFRS firefighters could be called out to help with major incidents at airports on the islands.

Andy Coueslant, head of SFRS service delivery in the north, said: "We are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the safety of communities across Scotland."

Highlands and Islands Airports managing director Inglis Lyon added: "Both organisations understand the challenge of delivering a fire and rescue capability in rural and remote communities and this agreement is a very practical solution to this challenge."

The policy was recommended in a 2015 report by Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate.

The same report revealed that island firefighters had been told not to attend emergencies because they were unable to complete training courses.

Front-line staff whose breathing apparatus training had expired were ordered not fight fires, even though they were fully trained in other areas.