The campaign for a National Park in Galloway suffered a setback at Holyrood last week.

Emma Harper MSP put forward a motion setting out the benefits that a National Park would bring to Scotland.

But the Minister has said Scottish Government has no intentions to designate new National Parks.

The suggested boundaries of the National Park would extend from Dumfries and Galloway into South Ayrshire and East Ayrshire.

Rob Lucas, Chair of the Galloway National Park Association, said: “The outcome of yesterday’s debate represents a missed opportunity not just for Galloway but the whole of Scotland.

“It is disappointing that Ben Macpherson MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, failed to recognise the wishes and needs of our region and our country both to protect nature and to nurture a sustainable economy and that Scotland is set to fall further behind others in designating National Parks.

“However, our campaign really begins now.”