A VILLAGE fuel station has become an unlikely icon after featuring in a major broadcaster’s spotlight on the importance of such facilities in rural areas.

Luss filling station, which opened in its present state in 2016, has been hailed as a key feature in the village, saving visitors and residents a 20-mile round trip to fill up their car.

The previous facility was first established in the village in 1965, but closed in 1995 after becoming unsustainable, forcing residents to undertake a 20-mile round trip to fill up their tanks.

But it was restored as an unstaffed pay-at-the-pump facility three years ago, and is felt to have been an asset to both the community and motorists on the nearby A82.

Sir Malcolm Colquhoun, who made moves to restore the station after nearly running out of fuel on a holiday in France, said: “Luckily I found an automated do-it-yourself filling station and thought it was a brilliant idea.

“Places like Luss can turn into retirement villages, but they need families and children to continue. There are real difficulties in rural communities and the mission is to breathe new life into Luss by bringing jobs and economic prosperity.”

The facility was opened after Luss Estates commissioned a strategic report on ways to rejuvenate the village and support inward tourism.

Greig Dickson from Certas Energy, which supplies the Gulf-branded Luss facility, added: “ If we are to protect and strengthen rural communities then we must support local business, whether that be a pub, post office, shop or filling station.”