Organisations have begun talks to continue services which were provided by the Shirlie Project, after the charity's sudden closure

Local organisations have rallied round in a bid to fill the gap left by the demise of a charity.

The Shirlie Project provided support to young people in the Highlands gain employment for more than two decades.

However the charity was placed into liquidation earlier this month due to a lack of funding.

A spokesman for the charity said: "All at the Shirlie Project wish to thank their many funders, suppliers and employers for their engagement and support over the years. We wish all our clients and trainees the best for the future."

Insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor are handling the liquidation, and confirmed they are in talks with local charities in a bid to maintain some of the services offered by the charity.

A statement issued by the liquidators on behalf of the Shirlie Project said: “Kenneth Pattullo and Kenneth Craig of Begbies Traynor’s Inverness office, who were appointed joint liquidators of the Shirlie Project earlier this month, have confirmed that they have been approached by other local charities.

“The Shirlie Project provided support services in the Inverness area for over 20 years and the liquidators are currently in discussions with the charities with the aim of finding a way forward that would see the continuation of provision of some of the organisation’s services to young people and others in the community.”

The project provided support to young people to enable them to fulfil their ambitions, including access to employment, without facing barriers such as prejudice, lack of physical access or disability. The charity operated across the Highlands and 17 members of staff lost their jobs as a result of the closure.