Work to repair a busy Moray harbour has begun.
The £500,000 project at Buckie is expected to last nine weeks, with refacing works on the north pier being the main focus.
Around 150ft of steel sheet pipes will be installed there, strengthening the pier for years to come.
Other maintenance and improvements will also be carried out.
Nigel Fotheringham, senior engineer (structures) for Moray Council has warned local residents that there may be some noise and disruption as the works are ongoing.
He said: “As the work is being undertaken in a tidal environment, it is likely some of the works will take place outside normal working hours.
“As with all construction work, there will be some noise and vibration during the works. However, the council’s contractor will put measures in place to mitigate disturbances to residents and businesses wherever possible.”
There will be some traffic restrictions while the work is taking place as access to the site will be via Blantyre Terrace.
This means that because delivery vehicles will require entry to the area, parking on that street will be restricted during the period the works are running.
Buckie councillor Gordon Cowie welcomed news of the repairs starting in the town.
He said: “I’m glad to see the repairs going ahead to help maintain the safety of the harbour as we need to make sure that all the structural repairs are known to be done and everything fixed.
“The contractors are working with the residents to make sure that disruption is kept to a minimum.”
Fellow Buckie councillor Sonya Warren was also pleased that the repairs were going ahead.
She said: “It’s good to see the much-needed work being done on the harbour.
“Hopefully the disruptions will be kept to a minimum and not cause too much inconvenience to folks.”