Meeting considers our financial future

MORAY may have to start offering extra financial incentives to doctors, teachers and other professionals if it hopes to fill the gaps in services.

That view was put forward at a high-level policy meeting held in Elgin attended by Scotland's deputy first minister John Swinney.

The Convention of Highlands and Islands heard that areas across the north of Scotland were facing major problems in attracting skilled people.

Given the staff shortages now crippling institutions such as Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, it was suggested that extra cash could be offered to come to live and work in the region.

* Read the full story in this week's Forres Gazette.