Hope for Scottish weather centre

The Aberdeen office serves the oil and fishing industries

Politicians fighting to save Scotland's only Met office have welcomed government promises to listen to their concerns.

Defence Minister Don Touhig agreed to consider all possible options for the Bridge of Don centre, during a Westminster debate on Wednesday.

The proposed closure has been condemned by the oil and fishing industries.

Local MPs and MSPs have stressed that the Aberdeen operation is profitable and had only recently been upgraded.

Local MP Malcolm Bruce said he could see no case for closure.

The Liberal Democrat, who called the debate, received cross-party support from other MPs, including SNP leader Alex Salmond and Labour's Anne Begg.

He said: "The minister accepted that the way in which things have been done has not been well handled.

Further blow

"He has said there will be a 90-day consultation and all options will be considered. We felt that was quite encouraging."

The station is one of six in Britain facing either closure or downsizing as part of a nationwide restructuring plan to move services to the Exeter headquarters.

Westminster politicians fear the possible move could compromise safety for workers in the oil and fishing industries.

But a further blow was delivered to the bureau at the beginning of the month when the oil company Shell announced it was cancelling a contract worth about £1m to provide forecasting services for its North Sea operations.

Ministers insist no final decision has been made.

Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam said he has received cross-party support for a motion urging the centre's retention.

He said: "Aberdeen's Met Office is profitable and has been hailed as a centre of excellence and in my opinion the Scottish Executive must do everything possible to help secure its future."