Residents have expressed their frustration at the only road in and out of their coastal village being closed for ten months.

The access road to Crovie in Aberdeenshire was closed last September for repair work.

Aberdeenshire Council told locals that repair work would start in May, but that was delayed until July, and it has now been pushed to August, with the road reopening in November.

In order to get in and out of the village residents have to scale over 80 steps or negotiate a 100ft cliff route.

After waiting almost a year, many residents are beginning to lose faith.

Local Sandy Kilpatrick said: "They have been monitoring the road for several years, and last year they said the road was no longer fit for traffic - it was sinking.

"They shut it by word and some weeks later they shut it with big boulders, but I do feel they could've allowed access for light vehicles."

He added: "They've provided a quad bike with a trailer but the driver is out working, so if you're prepared to wait some hours, you might get some help.

"People who rent their houses out have seen a great down turn in visitors - our village benefits Aberdeenshire by being unique as it brings tourists here."

Getting shopping and parcels in and out has also proved a challenge, and one local even took to the skies to bring in supplies.

Gisela Grothkast, who moved to Covie 19 years ago, said: "It's caused quite a lot of problems - there are a few house owners that are unable to come anymore because they can't manage to walk because of health issues or age.

"Tesco delivery doesn't deliver into the village anymore - they only deliver to the top car park and we carry it down the many steps.

"We have issues with parcel deliveries because they see the road is closed and they won't come - one of the house owners even brought in a delivery with a sea plane.

"The council has put us off twice, which means the road will be closed for more than a whole year.

"I have also lived in the Alps, and they would have fixed this issue within one or two weeks."

Work on the road is due to begin in August and the road is hoped to be reopened in November.