Scottish children will be able to sleep in one of the national galleries for the first time this year.

This Easter, parents and children will be offered the chance to take part in a new all-night "sleep-over" at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

The National Galleries of Scotland believe it is the first event of its kind in an art gallery in Scotland.

It is based on similar events at the Serpentine Gallery in London and the American Museum of Natural History in New York, with similar events also having been staged in galleries in Berlin and New Zealand.

Around 50 parents and children can take part in the event, which will allow them to join workshops, a treasure hunt, storytelling and enjoy dinner and breakfast and well as sleeping under the ceiling of the gallery's Great Hall, with its depiction of the night sky, painted by the 19th century artist William Hole.

There will be two ticketed events, on March 23 and July 20.

Dr Patricia Allerston, head of education at the National Galleries of Scotland said: "We are thrilled to be hosting this unique sleep-over event at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

"It will be an extra special opportunity for families to experience the nation's outstanding collection of portraits and this magnificent building in a way nobody ever has before."