Children who were with a boy who was killed by a gravestone will not need to come to court to give evidence at a fatal accident inquiry.

Ciaran Williamson, eight, was playing with friends in Craigton Cemetery in Glasgow's south side on May 26, last year, when the stone fell on him.

An inquiry into his death is due to take place at Glasgow Sheriff Court in November to try and establish if there were any reasonable precautions that could have prevented the tragedy.

The inquiry will also try to establish if there were any defects in the system of work which caused or contributed to Ciaran's death.

The decision was heard at a third preliminary hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday. There are recorded interviews of the children who were with Ciaran at the time of the tragedy and there are transcripts available for the court.

These will be presented as evidence to save any children coming to the inquiry as witnesses.

Mark Gibson, representing Ciaran's mother Stephanie Griffin, brought to the attention of the court a report produced by two technical advisers from the National Association of Memorial Masons who visited the site and saw the particular stone the day after the incident.

He said the men were assisting the police and council with their initial inquiries and that he has informed Mark Stewart QC who is representing Glasgow City Council at the inquiry about this.

A final preliminary hearing was set for next month before the inquiry is due to start.