Teachers have been urged to reject an enhanced pay deal - but a strike ballot will be suspended until members vote on the offer.

The profession has been offered nine per cent over three years as well as extra cash to restructure pay scales worth around 12 per cent overall.

However, the ruling council of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) voted narrowly to advise members not to accept the joint offer from the Scottish Government and council umbrella body Cosla.

Although the proposal was rejected - by 47 votes to 45 after a two hour debate - it will still be up to teachers to decide whether to accept it.

The EIS has demanded a ten per cent rise to address a decade of pay erosion, but councils argue they cannot afford such an increase.

A consultative ballot of members will now be held on the offer, with a separate ballot on strike action suspended.

Union leaders said its council would recommend a rejection of the deal, but said members would be told arguments for and against it because of the close nature of the vote.

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said: "Following today’s decision at council, it will now be for our members to decide on whether to accept or reject this revised offer.”

John Swinney, the Education Secretary, said it was "extremely disappointing" the EIS council had voted to recommend rejection of the offer.

He said: "It is a clear indication of our commitment to recruit and retain teachers and is unmatched in the public sector.

"The Scottish Government will provide the funding for pay restructuring in addition to the local government settlement.

“I am pleased this offer will be put to teachers for their consideration, despite the narrow EIS leadership recommendation to reject it.

"We believe this offer represents the fair pay rise that teachers deserve, and the consultative ballot planned by EIS still presents an opportunity to get this pay rise into their members’ pockets as soon as possible."

Gail Macgregor, education spokeswoman for Cosla, expressed concern over the vote.

Earlier in the day at a meeting in Edinburgh, Cosla had agreed to back the enhanced offer from the Scottish Government.

She said: "This is disappointing. We have absolutely gone as far as we can and hopefully teachers accept what is a very good deal.

"We understand the teachers' unions will now present this revised and enhanced offer to their members and we would strongly encourage its acceptance."

The offer means a three per cent pay increase in 2018/19 for all grades up to a cap of £80,000 with a flat rate increase of £1,600 for salaries above that level.

There will also be a three per cent in 2019/20 for all posts with a similar arrangement for the following year.

In recognition of concern over problems in the recruitment and retention of teachers Cosla has also agreed to back a restructuring of wider pay scales and took at pay for promoted teachers.