The pioneering scheme in the south of Scotland needs to raise £400,000 or it will be wound down.

A pioneering project to boost golden eagle numbers in southern Scotland is facing the “imminent threat” of being wound down.

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP) said it needed to raise £400,000 in order to secure its long-term future.

The scheme has brought the birds from other parts of the country to a secret location near Moffat since it started in August 2018.

However, it has now launched a public appeal for funding to ensure it does not have to fold.