BBC Scotland's weather team is likely to stay on the air despite the corporation parting ways with long-time forecasters the Met Office.

The broadcaster said none of its team of weather presenters - Christopher Blanchett, Judith Ralston and Gillian Smart - are directly employed by the Met Office, which will no longer provide weather reports for the BBC.

The weather service has provided the data used for BBC forecasts since its first radio weather bulletin on November 14, 1922.

The Met Office said the decision to not renew a contract with the broadcaster is "disappointing", and will be supporting its team of weather presenters - such as Simon King on Radio Five Live and Radio 6, John Hammond on the BBC News Channel and Angie Phillips on Northern Ireland's BBC Newsline - to "ensure clarity on their future".

A BBC spokesman said that it does not anticipate significant changes to its presenting team, which includes Scot Carol Kirkwood, who used be employed by the Met Office but now is BBC staff.

He said: "Our viewers get the highest standard of weather service and that won't change."

Met Office severe weather warnings will still be used by the BBC.

The BBC said it was legally required to open up the contract to outside competition and secure the best value for money for licence fee payers.

The move brings to an end a relationship that has seen the Met Office provide weather services, including presenters and graphics, to the BBC for nearly a century.

Steve Noyes, Met Office operations and customer services director, said: "Nobody knows Britain's weather better and, during our long relationship with the BBC, we've revolutionised weather communication to make it an integral part of British daily life.

"This is disappointing news, but we will be working to make sure that vital Met Office advice continues to be a part of BBC output."

A BBC spokesman said: "We are legally required to go through an open tender process and take forward the strongest bids to make sure we secure both the best possible service and value for money for the licence fee payer.

"Our graphics are already supplied by another provider and our longstanding relationship with the Met Office will continue as we intend to still broadcast their severe weather warnings."