Lothian and Borders Police announced the move today after an investigation into alleged corruption and fraud involving former employees of City of Edinburgh Council's Property Care Department.

The four former council employees, who are all men and aged 42, 45, 59 and 62, have been charged with alleged corruption and fraud over regard to repairs carried out at council buildings in Edinburgh.

As part of the same inquiry, nine men and two women aged between the ages of 30 and 64 have been charged with alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering offences.

The procurator-fiscal has been briefed and a report will be submitted in due course.

Police said the charges were not connected to the Statutory Repair Notices scheme operated by the Property Conservation Department at City of Edinburgh Council which is being investigated in a separate probe.

A report on that inquiry has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal following an investigation into the operation of the scheme, however no charges have been brought.