Pupils at a Highland primary will be moved to a new school in the New Year due to staff shortages.

Strathconon pupils will be moved to Marybank primary - 12 miles away - after the school faced a "critical situation" with staff.

This will affect 17 primary aged pupils and two nursery pupils.

The two current members of staff have both found new positions and the council have said new staff won't be in place for the new term.

Bill Alexander, Director of Care and Learning, said: "As both existing teaching staff are moving to other posts it will not be possible to have new staff in place for the new term.

"We have considered various options for dealing with this situation, and have concluded that the least problematic option is to provide education for the children at an alternative location, until staffing can be put in place.

"Parents are being informed by letter today that their children will, in the New Year, be transported each day to Marybank Primary School.

"Staff will plan this week for the children to visit the Marybank classes to help ease the transition.

"This is an unfortunate situation, but colleagues will work at making the best of it. We are interviewing for the position of Principal Teacher in the first week of term, and the class teacher post is being re-advertised."