A barmaid trapped in the rubble of an Aberdeenshire hotel after a suspected gas blast is taking legal action.

Danielle Ormond says her injuries have left her unable to work since the explosion on January 7 and is launching a damages claim against the hotel owner and the gas contractor working there.

The 26-year-old woman spent eight days at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment of cracked ribs, a collapsed lung and broken vertebrae in her neck and back. Her injuries followed the suspected gas explosion at the Drumtochty Arms in Auchenblae where she worked as a barmaid.

Speaking in Aberdeen on Monday, Ms Ormond said she has been in emotional and physical agony since the blast and is now suing for damages. 

She said: "The back pain is constant, that's a constant thing for me, not to mention the fact that I've lost my job and I don't have anywhere to work which is a huge worry.

"My neck is also something I suffer from a lot. I had a broken bone in there and that's agony, I need to sit constantly in something supported to support my back all the time."

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Her solicitors, Thompsons, are planning to lodge a joint action at the Court of Session against the owner of the Drumtochty Arms and contractors Instant Catering Maintenance, who were carrying out work on the hotel. The solicitors are seeking compensation in the six figures.

Representatives for the hotel and for the contractors were not immediately available for comment.