Inverness search and rescue helicopter crews have completed 500 missions since taking over from the RAF and Royal Navy last year.

They have been involved in life-saving operations as far afield as Westray in Orkney and the Farne Islands in Northumberland.

Civilian firm Bristow has been responsible for rescue operations in the Highlands since April 2015.

Their helicopters remain under the control of the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, which moved from Moray to Hampshire earlier this year.

Inverness chief pilot John McIntyre said: "We feel privileged to be serving the communities in and around Inverness and indeed further afield in Scotland.

"As an Inverness man I'm also pleased to say that my fellow Invernessians have made the crews feel incredibly welcome.

"We look forward to being an even bigger part of the community in the years to come".

Highlands and Islands search and rescue crews were the busiest in the UK last year, carrying out the vast majority of the 800 missions across the country.

Russell Torbet, director of UK Search and Rescue (SAR), said: "Bristow's heritage is steeped in search and rescue and our brave helicopter crews are currently delivering SAR all over the United Kingdom.

"The Inverness base has to date been one of the busiest, which is no surprise given its proximity to Scotland's popular mountain ranges and coastal areas.

"I am immensely proud of our crews in Inverness, who have become a key part of the community and most importantly been instrumental in saving a significant number of lives over the past 18 months."