The BBC has apologised for describing an area of Argyll as being physically removed from civilisation.

Alan Reid long time Lib Dem MP or Argyll and Bute wrote to the BBC's Director General Tony Hall to complain that a "throw-away remark" on BBC News, could have an adverse impact on the public's perceptions of the location.

Mr Reid was concerned about a report on beavers in Devon.

Speaking from the banks of the suitably named River Otter, the reporter said of the beavers: "There is a population up in Scotland, the difference there though is that they're out in the middle of nowhere - but there on the River Otter, as you might be able to see, quite close to civilisation, the town of Ottery St Mary just here."

Mr Reid told Mr Hall: "The beavers in Scotland are in Knapdale, in Argyll, They are not 'in the middle of nowhere' and are 'quite close to civilisation'. The residents of Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Cairnbaan, Crinan and Tayvallich will be shocked to discover that they live far from, 'civilisation'."

Mr Reid said great efforts were being made "across all parties to halt population decline and promote Argyll and Bute as a great place to live, work, study and start-up businesses. "

He has now received a reply from Mr Hall: "We accept that the phrase 'in the middle of nowhere' may have sounded dismissive, which was not the reporter's intention. He was trying to convey that the Scottish beavers are in a more remote, rural, location than the Devon beavers, where the town is close to the river, rather than making a general comment about the area. We are sorry for any upset that may have been caused."