The Scottish Government has published a bill at Holyrood for Police Scotland to take over railway policing from the British Transport Police (BTP).

It has promised to protect the jobs, pay and pension conditions of BTP staff while the force is integrated with the country's national police force.

Powers over railway policing were devolved to the Scottish Parliament through the passing of the Scotland Act 2016.

The plans have been criticised by senior BTP officers through the consultation process.

Deputy chief constable Adrian Hancock told Holyrood's justice committee last month that the plans would mean "adding additional expense" and "additional controls" to policing the country's railways.

Hancock said the proposals to axe his force would create "a border for operational policing" between Scotland and England.

Justice secretary Michael Matheson said cross-border policing of railways would "continue to be seamless" when he outlined his plans on Friday.

He said: "We have been assured by Police Scotland that the specialist knowledge, skills and experience of BTP officers and staff will be protected and maintained within Scotland's wider policing service.

"As part of Police Scotland, railway policing will benefit from their local support, specialist resources and expertise.

"Cross-border policing will continue to be seamless in both directions. Police Scotland has excellent relationships with their counterparts and we are working with the UK Government to ensure police have appropriate powers for the entire duration of cross-border journeys."

Further legislation will be needed at both Holyrood and Westminster to deal with the transfer of property, staff and operational functions to Police Scotland.

The proposals come three years after the Scottish Government disbanded eight local forces and created Police Scotland.

The national police force has said it will work to ensure a "seamless" integration of the force if MSPs vote for it.

Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins, of Police Scotland, said:"We are committed to working with Scottish Government, BTP, staff associations, both police authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that should the bill be passed that the integration of BTP (Scotland Division) with Police Scotland is seamless.

"The priority for Police Scotland is to ensure all of our communities, including people who work and use the rail network, are kept safe."