A thousand pupils are returning to school earlier than planned after repair works at schools in Edinburgh where faults were found.

The city council announced on Wednesday that four primary schools - Pirniehall, St David's, Broomhouse and St Joseph's - will now open on Monday June 20 ahead of schedule.

Pupils from Rowanfield School will also return earlier than planned on Monday, June 27.

This follows the 900 pupils from Oxgangs and St Peter's Primary Schools and Braidburn School, who returned to their own schools last month, followed by Firrhill High School, which completely reopened on schedule last week.

This means a total of 4600 pupils will have returned to their own schools before the end of the summer term.

The remaining primary schools - Craigour Park, Forthview, Craigroyston and Castleview - will all be handed back during the summer break, as will Craigmount, Gracemount, Drummond and Royal High Schools.

It means all 17 affected schools will welcome back their pupils for the start of the new term on August 17.

All the new dates for the individual schools have been published on the council website.

Council leader Andrew Burns said: "We have continued to press the Edinburgh Schools Partnership to bring forward school reopening dates where possible so I'm pleased that we now have 1000 pupils returning earlier than planned.

"Our priority has always been the safety of our pupils and staff and we have insisted that Edinburgh Schools Partnership and their contractors ensure that our schools are 100% safe to reopen.

"As with the schools that reopened last month, all of the relevant paperwork will be published on our website having been reviewed by an independent expert on behalf of the Council.

"I want again to thank parents for their patience and understanding and teaching staff for their commitment and flexibility during this difficult time."

The council has confirmed an independent inquiry into the school closures will commence after the summer holidays.