Council planning chief steps down

The Conservative chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's planning committee has quit the post citing "personal reasons".

Bruce Hodgson's resignation has been accepted by the authority's convener Ivor Hyslop.

Councillor Rodger Grant has been appointed acting chair of the post for the time being.

Mr Hodgson will continue to represent the Abbey ward he was elected to by voters in May last year.

Dumfries and Galloway Council is run by a Conservative coalition with the Lib Dems.

They form a minority administration relying on the "constructive opposition" of SNP councillors.