Islanders on Lismore last night warmly welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is finally to examine whether there should be a car ferry serving the north end of the island - a move which could cut travel time to the mainland from nearly an hour to five minutes.

At present the 170-strong community is served by a Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry between Oban and Achnacroish, about midway along the island's east coast.

It takes around 50 minutes and costs islanders about £40 return if they take their car.

At the northern end of the island there is a passenger-only service to Port Appin on the mainland, run by Argyll and Bute Council.

John MacFadyen, of Lismore Community Council, said: "A car ferry at the north end would only take five minutes and cost a fraction of what we pay at the moment.

"It would mean we could do with one car rather than having to keep one on the mainland all the time and another on the island. We could go to Fort William or even Glasgow for the day and still get back home."

Mr MacFadyen was responding to the news that Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson had announced an economic appraisal looking at future ferry priorities for the island would be carried out. This will include investigating the possibility of introducing a vehicle service at the north end of the island.

Mr Stevenson said: "The local community has been campaigning for the introduction of a vehicle ferry service at the north end of the island for some time and we have listened to those views."