The group of nine say the authority is too big to provide an adequate level of services to all communities.

The spill at Inverness affected a large number of services, including between the city and Aberdeen.

The dispute involving about 200 Stagecoach drivers threatened to disrupt Highland and Orkney services.

The Unite union says the dispute over pay involves about 200 of its members.

The number of locums employed on emergency contracts, which are more expensive, rose to £14.7m last year.

The machine developed by the University of Nottingham was used to investigate part of Dounreay.

Inspectors found corroded steelwork an area at Dounreay used to store radioactive material.

Police say the temporary measure follows concerns about speeding on the A836.