An industry expert with more than 30 years' experience has been appointed to lead an inquiry into Edinburgh's school construction scandal.

John Cole will oversee a "clear and thorough" investigation into the structural faults which led to the closure of 17 schools in April.

More than 7000 pupils were displaced in the crisis and several schools will not fully reopen to pupils until after the summer break.

Mr Cole, an architect by trade, will start a full inquiry in early autumn once all schools are reopened.

The city council is still liaising with Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP), which is responsible for managing and operating the affected sites, about its "contractual position".

The local authority has estimated that the inquiry will cost between £150,000 and £250,000 but it will seek to recoup the costs from ESP.

Mr Cole is currently involved in creating a new £180m educational campus for six secondary schools on a single shared site in Omagh in Northern Ireland, and the development of a new £600m paediatric hospital in Dublin.

In both cases he was appointed by the respective ministers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

It is hoped the inquiry will be concluded by the end of the year.

Council chief executive Andrew Kerr said: "I am pleased to have brought on board an expert of John's calibre to head this independent inquiry as he commands respect in both construction and procurement fields.

"His track record speaks for itself and I am sure parents and everyone else who has been affected by the issues over the past five months will take comfort from the extensive knowledge and experience that John brings to the role.

"The clear and thorough terms of reference set out exactly what we are aiming to achieve through this inquiry. We want to find out what went wrong with these schools and are determined to see what lessons can be learned, not just here in Edinburgh but across Scotland and the UK."

It was announced earlier this week that four primary schools, Pirniehall, St David's, Broomhouse and St Joseph's, will open on Monday, earlier than previously expected.

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

The 900 pupils from Oxgangs and St Peter's primaries and Braidburn School returned to their own schools last month, followed by Firrhill High, which completely reopened on schedule last week.