People have been forced to flee their homes after a wall holding back a landslide in an Aberdeenshire village collapsed.

The temporary barrier was erected to protect homes in Gardenstown following the landslide on November 28 last year.

However, heavy rain has caused the wall to collapse, blocking the road below.

Three nearby homes have been evacuated while Aberdeenshire Council makes repairs.

Local councillor Hamish Partridge said he was eager to see the situation resolved.

"The correct decision was made on safety grounds to evacuate the nearest residents last night," he said.

"Today the area will be assessed, until which time we have no way of knowing the effect of the latest slide other than the road is again blocked.

"The most important thing here as has always been is getting the road open and normality to the village."

A council spokesman said heavy rain was responsible for the wall's collapse.

"We have been aware of continued movement in the existing landslip at Gardenstown, which is being monitored as part of the investigatory works," a spokesman said.

"An engineer has been on site this evening and heavy rain throughout Tuesday has caused more material to move and a partial collapse of a temporary retaining wall.

"As a result we have warned nearby households of the situation. We will continue to monitor the landslip and take any additional action necessary."