Two key appointments which will help shape Scotland's new national police and fire services have been announced by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

The first chair of the new Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has been named as Vic Emery while Pat Watters has been appointed as the first chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SRFS).

The appointments come in the wake of a major shake-up of Scotland's police and fire services which will see the existing regional services merged into new nationwide organisations, to go live in April next year.

Mr MacAskill said both chairs would act as "steady hands on the tiller" while not interfering in operational matters.

He said: "Clearly we have a chief constable and a chief fire officer.

"The role of the chair is to hold them to account and to work with other board members."

Commenting on Mr Emery and Mr Watters, he added: "Both have outstanding track records in public and private service."

Mr Emery is currently convener of the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.

As chair of the SPA, he will be involved in selecting the new chief constable - whose appointment is expected to be announced this autumn.

Mr Emery said: "The more efficient we make the organisation of policing, the more police officers and staff can do for us as citizens.

"We have already shown that we can deliver a quality service for less cost in parts of Scottish policing. Now we have to achieve the same for all of Scottish policing.

"I look forward to working with the new chief constable to ensure we deliver a service to the public that is resourced, supported and challenged to do just that."

Meanwhile, as chair of the SFRS, Mr Watters will work closely with chief officer Alasdair Hay.

Mr Watters was president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities from 2001 to 2012, and a councillor in South Lanarkshire for 30 years.

He said: "Firefighters and staff will have a crucial role to play in the new service, and I will ensure we utilise their skills, expertise and ability to the full, to shape and deliver the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

"Above all, we will engage constructively with communities and local authorities in all parts of Scotland to ensure they all feel the benefits of reform."

Both roles are part-time appointments for three years, with Mr Emery to be paid £450 per day and Mr Watters receiving £430 per day.