The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry will focus on more than 100 locations identified as places children are believed to have been assaulted.

Chairwoman Lady Smith has given an update on the work of the inquiry at a preliminary hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Prestigious private schools including Fettes College and Loretto are among the sites being investigated.

Some eight institutions run by Christian religious orders are also named as part of the investigation.

Lady Smith said the inquiry will also be taking steps to contact victims of abuse who were assaulted abroad or have subsequently left the country.

Under historic care arrangements, Scottish children were sent to countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Public hearings will begin in May.

Assistant chief constable John Hawkins said: "Police Scotland fully supports and is fully engaged with the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. We are grateful that Lady Smith has granted Police Scotland 'core participant' status.

"As the statutory agency with responsibility for criminal investigation into reports of child abuse and as a major stakeholder in the wider statutory framework regulating child protection in Scotland, we fully expect to have a significant role to play in supporting the Inquiry in fulfilment of its terms of reference.

"Over the last year we have been preparing for the inquiry and are currently responding to any requests for information. Where we are notified of any concerns of current risk, we will assess it and immediately remove or mitigate risk and any threats or harm to any person.

"Police Scotland is committed to investigating all forms of child abuse. These investigations, particularly of non-recent offences, are complex and challenging but Police Scotland is committed to keeping children safe.

"We owe it to people who report abuse to thoroughly investigate those reports wherever and whenever they occurred."

Lady Smith is the second person to chair the inquiry after Susan O'Brien resigned in July citing government interference. The Scottish Government reject the allegations.

The education secretary John Swinney rejected calls to widen the remit of the inquiry by some abuse survivor campaign groups.

The inquiry will only hear evidence on those who were abused while in the care of the state or another institution.

Abuse carried out against children who were in the care of their parents or guardians will not be investigated.

Victims of abuse can contact the inquiry on 0800 0929 300 or email talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot