£13.5 million will be spent on essential improvements works on the 'Wave 3' schools in Edinburgh over the next five years.

The City of Edinburgh Council has prioritised the work under its forthcoming Capital Investment Programme which is due to go to next week's Council Budget Meeting for approval.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Convener of Education, Children and Families said: "I am pleased to announce that having looked at the funding available in our Capital Budget, although this has not been easy , we have found a way to meet in full the essential improvement costs that were identified for the four schools in the December 2008 report. In addition, we will carry out the works necessary at Portobello required to keep it operating during the construction period for the new school."

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Cllr Mac Laren said the news will be welcomed by parents and staff at all of the schools who had concerns about the future of their buildings.

The following investment in essential improvement works will be carried out: Portobello High School £3.52m, Boroughmuir High School £2.927m, James Gillespie's High School £5.453m, St John's Primary School £0.912m and St Crispin's Special School £0.646m.

(GK/JM)