A newspaper owner is facing accusations that he stirred up racial tension.

Peterhead-based Alan Buchan, who owns and edits the North East Weekly, is due in court next month.

He was charged under the Public Order Act 1986 accused of publishing potentially racially inflammatory comment after police received complaints about a front-page story in his free weekly newspaper.

The item on June 16 contained details about plans for a 5,000-capacity complex in Peterhead which he claimed would be used to house immigrants.

The article was supported by editorial on potential detrimental effects to the area of such a move.

He was charged after reporting to Peterhead police station at the weekend at the request of local officers, where he was interviewed for about two hours.

The North East Weekly distributes about 10,000 copies to homes and businesses in Buchan, Gordon and Aberdeen.