Two Conservative councillors have been allowed to return to the party after being suspended for offensive tweets.

Robert Davies and Alastair Majury had their membership suspended within weeks of being elected to Stirling Council in May after the social media posts were uncovered.

Mr Majury, of Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, was behind an account which tweeted in 2012: "Why is the Catholic Church against birth control? Because they'll run out of children to molest."

His party colleague, who represents the Forth and Endrick ward, posted a series of racists tweets appearing to compare black people to cannibals.

One of the posts in 2013 captioned an archive photo of black people waiting next to a plane with the caption: "No, I am not your lunch. I am your flight attendant."

Another tweet read: "In the interests of security keep your loin cloths with you at all times. Spears go in the overhead locker".

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "Having served a suspension, both councillors have been readmitted to the party after offering unreserved apologies for any offence caused. It has been made abundantly clear that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in future."

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said the decision was "disgraceful".

Posting on social media, he said: "Disgraceful, imagine a racist and an internet troll now deciding on Stirling Council school bullying and equalities strategies."

SNP MSP James Dornan said: "Ruth Davidson is a hypocrite - she is keen to call out racism, sexism and other unacceptable behaviour, except when her own colleagues are the guilty ones.

"But this issue goes beyond mere hypocrisy, and exposes the ugly reality of Davidson's Tories - a party which offers a home to extremist views, turns a blind eye to prejudice and allows those who spout offensive nonsense to hold elected office.

"That is utterly shameful, and the decision to reinstate these councillors makes it perfectly clear that racist and offensive attitudes are welcome in the Scottish Tory party."

Scottish Labour's inequalities spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: "It is shocking to see the Tories lift the suspension of these councillors.

"They have made racist and sectarian remarks that have absolutely no place in our society.

"We have worked hard in Scotland to try to tackle racism and sectarianism and there is still more to do.

"Representing your community in local government is a privilege and an enormous responsibility. The Tories have badly misjudged this and must think again."