A new lifeboat station will be opened on the Isle of Harris for a trial period.

The RNLI has approved a 12-month trial for the lifeboat at Leverburgh, next to the Sound of Harris.

It is hoped the new station will improve lifeboat cover between RNLI stations at Stornoway and Barra, some 135 apart, and Portree.

South Harris Community Council has been campaigning for a local lifeboat for the last few years.

Volunteers have already come forward to crew the Mersey-class lifeboat, operate the station and raise funds for operating costs.

Michael Vlasto, operations director, said: "I am delighted that the RNLI’s trustees have agreed to this trial and look forward to improving our lifesaving capacity in the challenging shallows waters of the Sound of Harris, the Minch and around the Outer Hebrides."

A date for the trial to start has not yet been set.

Paul Jennings, RNLI’s Scotland divisional inspector, said: "We have been looking at this idea for some time.

"This decision is about us providing a level of support to an exposed and isolated community where the casualty potential warrants the establishment of an all-weather lifeboat station.

"We hope that people will continue to step forward to volunteer for their local lifeboat and make the trial the success it deserves to be."