A major review has been launched into school crossing patrols in Edinburgh.

Cameras will be set up at key sites near the city's schools to record the level of traffic and the number of pedestrians.

Edinburgh City Council said the survey, which is the first of its kind since the local authority took control of the service two decades ago, would help improve safety.

It has written to all parents to assure them individual children will not be identifiable in the footage, which will be destroyed following the review.

It is understood that there is no plan to cut the number of school crossing patrol staff, although they may be moved to other locations if they are regarded as more suitable.

Transport convener Lesley Hinds said: "There's bound to have been a lot of changes over the past two decades in terms of transport patterns, new housing developments and so on.

"Children's safety is absolutely paramount and this review work will give us a clear picture of which locations would most benefit from having a school crossing patrol."

She said the crossing guides provided an "excellent and highly valued service" to communities across the city.

"We'll be able to use this up to date information to help ensure we match our staff to the most appropriate locations and keep children safe as they travel to school," she added.