A daily newspaper has raised almost a quarter of a million pounds to remember the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

Glasgow-based daily The Herald has announced it has reached the £240,000 target required to be able to create a National Covid Memorial for Scotland.

Fundraising for the memorial, which will be based in Glasgow’s Pollok Country Park, began in June 2020.

Among those to donate has been the Scottish Government, which provided £42,000 towards the scheme.

The memorial’s location was revealed by The Herald last March

Donald Martin, editor of The Herald, said: “Thanks to the generosity of the public and all our partners, Scotland now has a fitting memorial for those affected by Covid.

“The work, commitment, and support of everyone involved in the project has helped create a wonderful space for people to quietly remember and reflect.

“I hope it provides much-needed comfort during these difficult times.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Ther Herald on its campaign success.

She said: “The heartbreak and loss the nation has suffered throughout the past two years as a result of coronavirus is not something any of us will ever forget.

“The Herald Covid Memorial will offer a dedicated space to remember loved ones no longer with us, to reflect on the sacrifices made to protect ourselves and others, and to celebrate the ways in which communities pulled together through one of the most difficult periods of recent history.

“A lot of hard work and effort has gone into reaching this fundraising milestone and making the memorial a reality.

“My congratulations and thanks to all of those involved.”