TWO Falkirk councillors have been charged by police after a probe into 'planning concerns'.

Labour’s John McLuckie, depute convener of the council’s planning committee, Tory planning committee member James Kerr, and a third man were charged on Wednesday.

Police Scotland said it followed an investigation by the force’s Economic Crime and Financial Investigation Unit.

The two councillors, who both represent the Upper Braes ward and declare the same Masonic Lodge in their register of interests, have also been suspended by their respective parties.

Mr McLuckie, 63, has been a councillor form more than a decade.

Mr Kerr, a former member of the Labour party, was elected last year.

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "Councillor John McLuckie has been suspended from the Labour Party."

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “Cllr Kerr has been suspended subject to the outcome of the investigation.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Three men have been charged following an investigation by the Economic Crime and Financial Investigation Unit into planning concerns raised in Falkirk.

“The men, aged 50, 55 and 63 were charged on 19th September and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

A spokesman for Falkirk Council said: “We have been made aware of this matter. We cannot make any comment at this time.”