Seven teams from around the world are bidding for the contract to revamp the famous Ross Bandstand on Princes Street Gardens.

The city council and the Ross Development Trust are looking to give the 80-year-old venue a new lease of life in a £25m project.

This will see the bandstand replaced, a visitor centre added and landscaping work around West Princes Street Gardens.

Writer Alexander McCall Smith and architect Ada Yvars will be on the Trust's competition jury.

Entries from 125 teams spanning 22 countries were narrowed down to seven finalists on Tuesday.

From the UK, Adjaye Associates, Page \ Park Architects and Flanagan Lawrence are in the running for the scheme.

Danish firm BIG, Reiulf Ramstad from Norway and wHY from the US will also compete for the project.

William Matthews Associates and Japan's Sou Fujimoto Architects are also to put in a joint bid.

Designs will be submitted over the summer with an exhibition due to take place.

The winner will be announced in August.

Culture convener Richard Lewis said: "The response to the competition's first stage affirms the worldwide interest in Edinburgh and its association with the arts.

"Scotland's capital is renowned as the World's festival city and the home of culture - and designers clearly want to be part of its future.

"The brief at stage two asks for a serious piece of architecture but one that's also celebratory - it will be fascinating to see what concepts the teams produce."

Chairman of the Ross Development Trust Norman Springford said: "We were absolutely delighted by the response of designers from around the world to the competition's first stage.

"The quality of the 125 teams on the long list sent a strong signal that the international design community regards this as an inspirational project for Edinburgh that has huge potential to reinvigorate this prestigious site."