A PUBLIC consultation has been launched on the creation of a new national park in south-west Scotland.

Scottish government agency NatureScot has launched a statutory consultation on proposals for a new park covering Galloway as well as parts of south and east Ayrshire.

Ahead of a series of public events to encourage debate and discussion of the proposals, NatureScot’s Pete Rawcliffe said: “A new National Park in Galloway is still a proposal and not a done deal, and this is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in the proposal to have their voice heard.”