Testing is being ramped up in an area of the Highlands following a cluster of cases of Covid-19.

NHS Highland said asymptomatic testing was being made available in Grantown-on-Spey, near Aviemore, after cases of a new variant were identified.

The board said it was not one of the main strains currently circulating the UK.

The health board said: "While no further cases have been identified to date, and the confirmed cases are small in number, due to these cases being a variant, enhanced contact tracing and additional PCR testingis now being carried out to check that there has been no spread within the wider community."

A mobile testing facility is being made available from Wednesday in the area for anyone, with or without Covid symptoms.

Dr Jenny Wares, Consultant in Public Health with NHS Highland said: "We know that hearing about a variant under investigation can be worrying but the way to limit the spread of any variant remainsthe same.

"We would ask that everyone continues to adere to the guidelines".