Website launched in ranges fight

The sites are used for testing and tracking weapons systems

A website has been launched in the fight to save threatened jobs on rocket test ranges in the Western Isles.

Once fully up and running, www.hebridesrangetaskforce.co.uk will have a message board to allow the public to post views on the plans.

Defence contractor QinetiQ runs the sites on South Uist and Benbecula on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, along with one on St Kilda.

The move to cut 125 staff is part of plans aimed at saving about £50m.

Hebrides Range Taskforce chairman Angus Campbell said the website was essential to taking the campaign forward.

He added: "It will also open up the campaign to a potential worldwide audience and we would hope that people from the Western Isles who are living or working abroad will be able to keep up to date with what's happening."

The ranges and a tracking station on St Kilda are used for the testing of weapons systems, including the Rapier surface-to-air missile defence.