New technology will mean train passengers can benefit from wi-fi services as they travel between Scotland's two main cities.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has awarded a £250,000 contract to ScotRail to trial two systems on trains running between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The first stage of the project will result in ScotRail putting wi-fi technology on four trains that run between the two cities via Falkirk. It is expected the wi-fi could be up and running this summer.

It is intended the next rail franchise will require passengers travelling between Edinburgh, Glasgow and the central belt, and Inverness and Aberdeen to have access to internet and emails.

Mr Brown said: "One of the challenges forever facing transport is how to embrace constantly-evolving technologies and the demands of passengers to get on with their ever more busy lives while travelling.

"The Scottish Government is committed to forward-looking schemes that put this country at the forefront of new technologies."