Kids, carers and firefighters: The people who could safeguard the future of a tiny Scottish island

The Orkney island of Eday is eight miles long, two miles wide and it is home to just 120 people.

It has its own community shop, a ferry terminal and even an airfield known as a "London airport".

But the islanders desperately need new families to fill their school, staff their fire station and care for their elderly.

They may not have long to wait, after a social media post about two new affordable homes on the island attracted millions of views.

Islanders now intend to capitalise on the attention to attract working age families who can help secure the community's future.

Eday is one of the 17 inhabited islands which make up the Orkney archipelago.

Its devlopment trust has just completed two three-bedroom houses now available for let at an affordable rent of £550 a month.

Islanders have been shocked by the response to the offer, after a BBC Radio Orkney Facebook post attracted millions of views and thousands of positive comments.

Local councillor Mellissa Thomson told BBC Orkney: "I'm absolutely amazed. I was looking at the post seeing the views and comments climbing up and up and up.

"I never expected this reaction, but I'm delighted to see this much interest in our island. We need people and this could help."

The opportunity for a slower pace of life in a beautiful island setting has clearly struck a chord with many users.

Eday is home to wildlife including otters, snowy owls and is a good place to see the killer whales which are regular visitors to Orkney waters.

Many of the comments on the Facebook post are "Where do I apply?" and "Sign me up now!", as well as the more rueful "If only I was 30 years younger…"

Others are more practical: "I would definitely need a cow and some chickens" and "Is there wifi?", and simply "where is this?"

Answering some of the questions posed by some of the Orkney-curious, Thomson said: "Of course we have internet here in Eday, and people do proper jobs working from home. It's also possible to do lots of small jobs here.

"You could be working in the community shop for a couple of hours in the morning, and then at the airport in the afternoon. That's how island communities get by.

"But what we really need are carers who can help look after our old folk so they don't have to leave. And able-bodied people fit enough to join our island fire brigade.

"We do not have fire cover at the moment and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says it's up to the community to supply the volunteer firefighters required to bring it back."

The properties are now being officially advertised for let by the Orkney Islands Property Company, who will then shortlist suitable candidates for the community Trust to consider.

"As part of our allocation policy, we are operating a points system so we can select tenants who are the best fit for the community.

"Three-bedroom houses won't be let to single people. We will be looking at the gaps in our community and prioritise applications from people who can fill them.

"We need people, but we really need workers and we need school-age children."