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North American signal crayfish found in two ponds at Ballachulish Quarry in Lochaber are to be poisoned to prevent the invasive species from spreading.

Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Environment Protection Agency are funding the £76,000 eradication project.

The crayfish have been blamed for feasting on native insects, frogs and small fish.

Highland Council said the toxic chemical Pyblast would be used.

It said the risk to people, pets and birds was "very low".

The crayfish are to be killed off within three days and the council said the ponds would return to normal toxicity within 21 days.