The opening of a new children's hospital in Edinburgh has been delayed after two construction companies went into administration.

NHS Lothian said the £150m Royal Hospital for Sick Children will now open in spring 2018, months later than the previous deadline of autumn 2017.

The delay has been caused by Dunne Group entering administration and JB Brickwork going into provisional liquidation, temporarily halting work on the site at Little France.

Progress has also been hindered by unfavourable weather and technical construction problems.

The consortium building the new hospital now plans to increase staffing, working hours and construction methods before providing a revised schedule.

Jim Crombie, NHS Lothian's acting chief executive, said: "Projects of this scale and, of this nature, are very rarely straightforward and bring with them many complex and sometimes unavoidable challenges.

"It is important to note that these alterations to the construction timetable will not result in any additional costs to NHS Lothian.

"Whilst this change is frustrating for our patients and staff, we must not forget that construction of this impressive new building is continuing and that much work has already been achieved. In addition, the project has already created a host of new entrant jobs for local people, including apprentices and graduate opportunities."