Flare warning from Kirkwall police

Police are warning the public to be on the lookout for potentially dangerous marine flares that are being improperly disposed of.

Over the past few weeks, several out-of-date flares have been found in bins and on beaches across Orkney. These flares, say police,  are still potentially very dangerous and should not be handled.

Until recently, out-of-date flares could be disposed of at coastguard stations but this can now only be done in Shetland or Inverness.

Anyone who finds what they believe to be a flare should not handle them and call Kirkwall Police on 101.