A petition to keep police call centres on a regional daily’s patch has beenbacked by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.

The Press & Journal, Aberdeen, has launched its Keep 999 Local campaign with the aim of saving centres in both Aberdeen and Inverness.

The proposals to close the two centres come despite a report into policing in Scotland following the M9 crash scandal.

Police took three days to locate a couple whose car had crashed off the motorway, following a reported sighting which was handled from a centralised office.

John Yuill was found dead at the scene when officers finally arrived but Lamara Bell was still alive.

However, she died later in hospital.

The report, by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland, found there were insufficient staff available at the centre near Edinburgh which took the call.

Signing the P&J’s petition, Ms Dugdale said: “The Press and Journal are right to start this campaign, and I’m proud to sign their petition.

“It is clear that the SNP government should call a halt to these closures. After eight years in office and a majority in the parliament the SNP Government in Edinburgh have no excuses here.

“If they don’t listen to people’s concerns it would be just another example of the arrogance that has become so commonplace from the SNP in government.”

The Press & Journal also won the backing of Members of the Scottish Parliament, as well as Mountain Rescue leaders.

North-East Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: “I think the problems of centralisation have become clear and there is a lot to be said for a bit of local knowledge. We should look at every way to retain them.”

Aberdeen City Council finance convener Willie Young added: “We are 110pc behind this campaign. It’s so important that we keep as many jobs as possible in Aberdeen.”

Willie Anderson, leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, said: “From our point of view, it’s handy having police there, close to the area where incidents have taken place.

“If Inverness take a call they would know whether it’s the Cairngorm or Lochaber rescue team that was required.”