Carers have been commended for helping to rescue 85 elderly people from flooding over the New Year.

Grandholm, Persley and Woodside care homes in Aberdeen emptied as floodwaters surged on January 7.

Twenty-one residents were housed in a mothballed hospital ward overnight after the council ran out of room at other care homes.

All 85 returned to their homes the following day but plans were put in place in case further evacuations became necessary.

Aberdeen City Council’s health and social care team were given the Highly Commended award at the Scottish Association of Social Workers annual event in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Councillor Len Ironside, chairman of the city’s social care board, said: “This was a hugely complicated exercise undertaken at very short notice and in extremely difficult conditions.

“Despite the complexity of the task, no older people were injured or adversely affected. The whole city should be proud of what our staff achieved. They showed great bravery, sensitivity and dedication to duty.”