A MEMORIAL has been unveiled by relatives and close friends of three Scottish-based Tornado fighter pilots who died in a mid-air collision.

The new monument overlooks the Moray Firth where they perished.

The stone bearing the names of Squadron Leader Sam Bailey, 36, Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole, 28, and Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, 27, from RAF Lossiemouth was unveiled at Califer Hill in Forres on the first anniversary of the accident yesterday.

The area has extensive views of the Moray Firth where their planes collided during a training exercise off the Caithness coast.

It was one of the worst air disasters in recent history north of the Border.

The ceremony took place in front of family and close friends and was a followed by a memorial service at the Moray base. A further monument dedication was held at the Officers' Mess.

Both the memorial service and the dedication at the Officers' Mess were attended by the families and station personnel.

Flt Lt Hywel Poole, from Menai Bridge, Anglesey, died in hospital after being airlifted from the scene.

Sqd Ldr Samuel Bailey, of Nottingham and Flt Lt Adam Sanders, of Southport, Merseyside, were both killed in the crash.

All three were members of 15 (Reserve) Squadron which is stationed in Scotland and trains pilots and weapon systems operators in flying Tornados, tactics and weapons.