'NO' campaigners are so relieved that the bid will not move forward

Opponents and supporters of a Galloway National Park have given their reaction to the Scottish Government's announcement that the proposal has been scrapped.

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The No Galloway National Park say they are "very relieved" that the bid won't move forward.

But the Galloway National Park Association have described the move as a"big loss".

Rural Affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon announced on Thursday the idea was being binned.

She said 54 per cent of people who responded to the NatureScot consultation opposed a national park and 42 per cent were in favour, with the majority of those responding from Galloway and Ayrshire.

No Galloway National Park cofounder Liz Hitschmann said: "We are very relieved the Scottish Government has recognised the strength of opposition to the imposition of a national park on our region, but the overwhelming response from local people directly affected was impossible to ignore.

"We are so grateful to all those who have supported our campaign, which from a standing start less than a year ago has steadily built momentum as people understood what a national park could really mean.