Plans to allow ship-to-ship oil transfers on the Moray Firth have been debated at Holyrood.

Cromarty Firth Port Authority want to progress their plans to gain a licence in the area, having first applied in 2015.

Groups in the region fear that beaches from Findhorn to Lossiemouth could be badly affected from any potential oil spills.

Campaigners 'Cromarty Rising' have taken the issue to the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness over the issue.

A petition including more than 10,000 signatures was submitted last month before a previous debate, scheduled for March, was postponed.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will make the final decision over whether the proposal will go ahead.