A fund set up by the Scottish Government to assist communities with going green has reached a milestone, with more than 500 local areas now being helped.

Environment and climate change minister Paul ­Wheelhouse confirmed the Communities Along The Carron Association was the latest group to receive money from the Climate Challenge Fund.

It is one of 21 projects receiving support in the scheme's latest round of funding. Since the fund was set up in 2008, £61.4m has been awarded to 696 projects in 512 communities.

Mr Wheelhouse said: "I am delighted that more than 500 communities across ­Scotland have now elected to take voluntary action to address the impacts and causes of climate change."