Prison guards wearing riot gear had to break up a disturbance at Scotland's new super jail just weeks after the facility opened.

Unruly inmates have had three run-ins with wardens at HMP Grampian in Peterhead since the building opened its doors in March.

The first incident - which took place two weeks ago - involved a young offender.

And earlier this week there was a stand-off with one of the prisoners armed with a broom handle when guards wearing protective gear had to be called in.

There are no details of the third incident. Yesterday the Scottish Prison Service said that the incidents were unrelated, and stressed that disorderly behaviour was not a regular occurrence at the £140 million prison.

A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said: "We can confirm there have been three such incidents since the prison opened on March, 4, 2014. There was an incident on Tuesday involving a small number of offenders in one of the residential areas.

"The incident was managed locally and successfully concluded by early evening, with no injuries to staff or offenders.

"The incident involved a small number of our adult population. We can confirm was an unrelated incident two weeks ago involving one young offender which was managed and concluded successfully, with no injury to our staff or the young offender. Prisons can be difficult environments dealing with individuals who at times refuse to comply with the regime. SPS has standard arrangements to respond to incidents at all prisons which are designed to minimise the risk of injury to staff and prisoners alike.

"These standard arrangements include staff wearing personal protective equipment and where necessary, notifying the police."