A former biology teacher at an Edinburgh school is to stand trial accused of making sexual remarks to two 13-year-old pupils.

Gavin Atkinson has also been charged with making inappropriate comments to a trainee female teacher.

Atkinson, 58, of Crocketford, Dumfries, denied four offences alleged to have been committed at the school between August 1 and December 24, 2013.

He faces allegations that he asked a 13-year-old girl to perform a lap dance, told her he had seen her underwear and made comments of a sexual nature.

He is also said to have asked the 13-year-old boy to imagine he had seen a female classmate dressed only in her underwear and made reference to the boy being sexually aroused.

Atkinson faces a further charge that he assaulted the boy by pushing him on the body and using his knee to press the boy against a wall to his injury.

The allegation concerning the trainee teacher refers to conversation of a sexual nature, reference to underwear and to sending her emails of a sexual nature.

The trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court will start next week and is expected to last two days.