Residents of a landslide-hit north-east town will receive an early decision on whether the government will help pay to stabilise the slopes.

Further landslips were detected overnight at the Bervie Braes in Stonehaven where around 75 families have already left their homes.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has announced he will meet with council officials on Saturday to discuss a £5.7million rescue package.

He said: "This is obviously a time of heightened concern for Bervie Braes residents with further landslips in the last 24 hours. I am keen to hear the views of the community council and listen to the recent experiences first hand. This follows my earlier discussions with Aberdeenshire Council.

"Transport Scotland geotechnical engineers are working to offer urgent advice on the condition of the land at Bervie Braes and based on that advice I will make an early decision on Aberdeenshire Council's request for funding."

Householders were advised to leave their homes on Thursday after the slopes overlooking around 65 homes started to give way.

On Thursday a huge section of the cliff slid down into one resident’s house bringing tonnes of mud and rocks with it.

Homeowner Richard Barnes, who has lived below the Braes for 17 years, described the moment the landslide smashed into the home he shares with his partner.

He said: “My alarm came on at 6.15am and I heard cracking and smashing – terrible noises and I thought, ‘oh my god, this is happening’.

“We could see tonnes of mud pushing against the window, smashing the glass and coming into the kitchen.

“We’d been waiting for it to happen and we’d been living in trepidation. But it’s such a shock to see your home in a state like us.”

Mr Barnes has been he will need to find alternative accommodation for at least two months.

Council engineers were in Stonehaven on Friday to investigating the slopes where further falls had affected the harbour area overnight.

Around a quarter of those living in the area have opted not to evacuate. A council spokesman said those who opted to remain in their homes have been informed of the risks of doing so.

To stabilise the slopes, the experts say underpinning work like that done in Pennan needs to be carried out here. 

Local MSP Mike Rumbles reiterated calls for the Scottish Government to come up with the £5.7million to pay for it.

He said: “What really annoys me is that the First Minister has given taxpayers money to his own constituency in Pennan for the same situation. We have the same situation where 100 people have been evacuated from their homes because of the problem and the Scottish Government will not bring forward one penny piece.”

Aberdeenshire Council say even if the government agree to make the money available straight away, it could take months for any work to be carried out.

Transportation & Infrastructure Director Iain Gabriel said: “Well if the money was to be available from the Scottish Government, we'd then have to go through a final detailed design stage, go for contractors. That in itself means, realistically, it could be into next year before we could make a start on site.”

The council say it will continue to monitor the slopes over the weekend. A helpline has been set up for those affected on 08456 08 12 06.