A SCOTTISH oat mill is believed to be the first in the modern era to be fully powered by wind.

The site near Boyndie, Banffshire, is owned by Morning Foods and produces grains for the Mornflake and Hamlyns of Scotland brands.

A 2.3-megawatt wind turbine was installed last year and has now been made fully operational to provide all electricity for the mill.

Around 4000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be saved annually with any excess electricity fed back into the National Grid.

Cheshire-based Morning Foods said it had spent five years and £3.5 million on the project.

John Lea, managing director, said: "By harnessing the latest technology and our ancient milling expertise, we've come full circle and are once again seeing cereal bowls across the UK and beyond filled with oats from a Mornflake windmill."

The mill operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and employs more than 30 people.