Councillors have approved plans to build a new town between Inverness and Nairn in the Highlands.

The Tornagrain development will see the construction of almost 5000 homes, with new schools and parkland.

The application had already won the backing of council planners.

Councillors on the south planning applications committee visited the site on Tuesday morning before later ruling on the application.

It is estimated the town will have a population of around 10,000

The development, put forward by the Moray Estates Development Company, will also include community facilities and space for retail, leisure and businesses.

The council has received 53 letters supporting and objecting to the plans. Some raised concerns including the loss of "prime agricultural land", concerns of the effect on tourism and claiming there was "no demonstrable need".

Construction will take place in phases over a 30 to 40-year period.