Plans for a new coastguard base in the north-east have been approved.
Proposals for a regional response unit in Macduff were given the go-ahead by Aberdeenshire Council officials.
The centre in the Tarlair industrial estate will be a direct replacement for the existing coastguard station in Banff and will also provide a training base for rescue teams.
Consultants Graham and Sibbald submitted the plans on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The firm said in the designs submitted to the council: “The proposed development at Macduff is one of a number of Maritime and Coastguard Agency response units around the UK coastline.
“The proposed unit at Macduff will provide a northern base for the storage of equipment and training facilities.”
Aberdeenshire Council officers ruled the application was “fully compliant” with planning policies.
Coastguard volunteers currently based in Banff will move to the new unit once completed.
A former coastguard station in Gardenstown was sold at auction last year.
North-east Conservative MSP Peter Chapman welcomed the approval for coastguard’s new base.
He said: “It’s vitally important the coastguard have a location and premises that suit their needs. Their work is a matter of life and death.”
A spokesman for the MCA added: “The new coastal operations base and training centre will be a purpose-built facility which will provide our coastguard rescue officers with essential facilities and skills to help them deal with incidents and prevent loss of life.”