The demolition of the former Inverness Royal Academy will begin on Monday, the council has announced.

It is expected to be completed in early 2017, though asbestos will have to be removed safely.

Once demolished, the site will make way for a playground, car parking and sports pitches for the new school building.

Pupils and staff moved into the new £34m building, located next door, in August.

Highland Council said: "Asbestos is present within the former school buildings with all locations and types of asbestos recorded on an asbestos register.

"The condition of the asbestos has been monitored at regular intervals to manage the risk to prevent harm to the building occupants or anyone working within the buildings.

"Now that the buildings are to be demolished, the asbestos needs to be removed and this will be carried out under controlled conditions by suitably qualified and experienced personnel."

It added: "All asbestos waste will be put in the appropriate packaging and removed from site in sealed containers.

"Once demolished the former school site will make way for a school playground, school car parking, and form part of two new all-weather pitches."