A change in the law to allow the use of personal locator beacons (PLB) on land could save lives, according to police. The beacons are already used on boats and planes but can now be used on land and could provide invaluable help in mountain rescue operations.

Distress signals sent out when the beacon is activated will be picked up by satellite and relayed to the UK Mission Control Centre at RAF Kinloss in Moray. The handheld PLBs are expected to be mainly used by people involved in outdoor pursuits and lone workers in rural parts of the country.