The salmon fishing season has opened on the River Dee despite storms causing more than £200,000 worth of damage.

Dozens of fishing huts were destroyed and river banks washed away when Storm Frank hit the north east at the end of December.

Despite the devastation, Deacon Blue's Dougie Vipond was in Aberdeenshire on Monday morning to cast the first fly of the season.

Mark Bilsby, river director of the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board, said: "Storm Frank and the extensive damage it caused to much of the River Dee's fishing infrastructure presents us with many challenges.

"However, we are determined that, as far as possible, it is business as usual.

"We are doing everything in our collective power to ensure that the fishing experience for our customers is not compromised this eason. Everyone has worked tirelessly to get the fishery open in time for the start of the season."

Mr Vipond said: "I couldn't believe the devastation but there's a real resilience here and I'm sure the communities will recover."

The River Dee fishing supports around 500 jobs and generates around £15m for the economy each year. Salmon fishing season on the River Ness also opened on Monday.