The new Moderator of the church of Scotland, the Rev Dr Rusell Barr has promised to make tacking the "scandal of homelessness" in Scotland a priority during his year long leadership of the Kirk.

Barr, who has been minister at Cramond Kirk since 1993, made the pledge in his opening address to the General Assembly after taking over from the Very Rev Dr Angus Morrison who has stood down from the 12-month role.

He talked about the "debt of gratitude I owe people" and of his "calling to serve" as he vowed to use his term of office to tackle homelessness.

Barr's pledge came after official statistics show that more than 4000 homeless applications were made in Edinburgh in 2014-15.

Across Scotland, 35,764 homeless applications were made to local authorities during the same period.

Speaking at the opening morning of the General Assembly, he said that the "scandal of homelessness" was one of things "things I plan to highlight" as moderator.

Meanwhile, the General Assembly also agreed to consider moving the timing of its annual gathering to the second week in June.

Reverend Dr Derek Browning, minister of Edinburgh's Morningside Parish, said the idea behind the shake-up was to allow young people to be able attend the assembly.

He said: "We've no desire to move away from Edinburgh or meet every two years, but we are wishing to test the minds of the assembly about whether we should meet in June outwith the exam time."

Kirk officials will examine the proposed change of dates ahead of next year's General Assembly.