Edinburgh's Hogmanay headliner Paolo Nutini is set to hand-pick unknown bands to help open the famous celebrations.

The Scots singer-songwriter is inviting the country's best new musicians to come forward for the chance to open his sets on December 30 and 31.

The new Hog the Stage competition was announced by organisers on Sunday as they unveiled the other acts on the bill for the famous party.

Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit will perform ahead of Nutini at the Night Afore Concert on December 30, while 90s favourites The Lightning Seeds will take to the stage on Hogmanay.

The Vegan Leather, a relatively new band from Nutini's home town of Paisley, will play on both nights.

Hog the Stage aims to find two of Scotland's best new bands by inviting them to submit new music.

The top 5 will be hand-picked by Nutini and entered into an online public vote to select the final two.

One of the winners will open the Night Afore Concert, with the other warming up the crowd at the Concert in the Gardens on Hogmanay.

Nutini said: "The main thing is it has to be a band who are new and fresh and wouldn't otherwise find themselves in that situation."

"I am a believer and supporter of new music, I am trying more so than ever to support anything good."

He said The Lightning Seeds, who have never performed at Edinburgh's Hogmanay before, have songs that "make you so happy".

Lead singer Ian Broudie said: "I've often seen Hogmanay in Edinburgh on the TV, and the atmosphere looks amazing and it's going be brilliant to sample it for myself on the night. Also great to be playing with Paolo Nutini. "

Frightened Rabbit, whose members are from Selkirk in the Borders, said: "We're thrilled to have been invited to play with Paolo in the incredible setting of Princes Street Gardens. Looking forward to getting everyone ramped up for Hogmanay."

Al Thomson, director of Unique Events, which produce Edinburgh's Hogmanay on behalf of the city council, said: "We're thrilled to welcome more incredible music onto the Edinburgh's Hogmanay bill and to give new Scottish bands the opportunity to join Paolo, Frightened Rabbit and The Lightning Seeds with our 'Hog the Stage' competition, which would see them play to thousands and could help launch the career of Scotland's next biggest band."

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh's festivals and events champion, said: "Both Paolo Nutini shows not only have fantastic line-ups but the opportunity of a lifetime for a new Scottish band to join the stage as we count down to the greatest New Year's party on earth."