Up to 1600 jobs could be lost if two Scottish army bases are closed, it has been warned.

Fort George in the Highlands and Kinloss Barracks in Moray are both thought to be under threat in the latest round of Ministry of Defence (MoD) cuts.

The MoD, which has already announced plans to shut 35 sites this year, says no final decision has been made.

The ministry is one of the UK's biggest landowners and aims to reduce the size of its estate by 30% over the next four years.

The Moray Economic Partnership says 1000 jobs could be lost in the community if Kinloss Barracks closes, while the Highland Council believes 600 could go if Fort George is axed.

On Thursday, the Highland Council agreed to lobby the UK Government to keep the Ardersier base open.

Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "The uncertainty over the future of Fort George is extremely worrying.

"There would be significant economic implications if the military barracks were to be closed and this could be a double blow to the whole region if the barracks in Moray were also affected by the review. I will be continuing to raise our concerns at the highest level."

Under current plans, by 2020 Scotland will be home to all of the Royal Navy's submarines, one of the army's engagement and resilience infantry brigades, one of three RAF quick response bases and the new P8 Poseidon patrol aircraft.

The UK's only search and rescue coordination centre closed its doors at Kinloss Barracks and moved to the National Maritime Operations Centre in Hampshire in March.