THOUSANDS of Scots turned off their lights for an hour yesterday to mark an annual climate change campaign.

Nearly 9000 signed up for Earth Hour, which was started by environmental charity WWF in 2007 to highlight the impact climate change is having on people and nature.

At 8.30pm, those who took part switched off their lights, joining people in more than 150 other countries, including Australia, which lit up the Sydney Opera House in dark green lights to recognise the event.

In Scotland, Edinburgh Castle and the Forth Bridge were also plunged into darkness for the event, which had the support of all 32 of Scotland's local authorities. Joining them were the likes of the Falkirk Wheel, Glasgow City Chambers, the Scottish Parliament and McCaig's Tower in Oban.