RESIDENTS fear that a £12 million flood-defence scheme will result in a town being cut off from the river.

A consultation is under way into the proposal for a wall to be erected along the bank of the Nith in Dumfries but some members of the local community have called for an alternative plan to be examined amid concern it is too extreme a response.

Reverend Andrew Crosbie, minister of St Bride's Anglican Church and chairman of Loreburn Community Council, said: "Quite a lot of people are starting to say, 'Do we really need a high wall which will effectively seal off the town from the river forever?'"

Local councillor Colin Smyth said there was "widespread community support" for the proposals.