Campaigners spent a week living in a tree in a protest against the development of a nearby hotel.

They set up camp 20ft above ground near the site of the proposed development in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh.

The tree stands at the edge of land earmarked for the 225-bedroom hotel, which was given planning permission in November.

The protesters left the scene peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

A spokesman said: "A protest at a construction site in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh has now concluded peacefully and all non-construction personel have now left the area."

A petition against the Dreamvale Properties hotel development has gained around 4400 signatures so far.