An appeal against a controversial bypass will be heard by the UK's highest court in less than three months.

The Scottish Government has welcomed confirmation that the Supreme Court will consider an appeal against the £400 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route in July.

William Walton, chairman of the pressure group Road Sense, is challenging the legality of the decision to approve the bypass and wants the official orders giving the project the green light to be quashed.

Earlier this month, Mr Walton confirmed he would be taking his case to the Supreme Court.

Both the Government and its transport agency Transport Scotland had previously indicated their intention to request an expedited hearing in a bid to speed up the process.

Yesterday it was confirmed the case will be heard on July 9 and 10.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "While the latest attempt to delay this vital project is disappointing, we have taken steps to try to make the latest legal process as prompt as possible.

"I would like to stress to all in the north-east that we are doing everything in our power to progress the appeal hearing."