The first delivery of trams for Edinburgh will be made within months - and they are heading for Croydon.

The vehicles were due to be housed in the city's new Gogarburn terminal, which was due for completion at the end of this year.

However, work there has fallen badly behind schedule. Tram firm TIE admits to nine month delays, while other estimates suggest building work could be as much as two years behind.

Now, the City Council is in talks with Transport for London, with the aim of sending the first trams to a working line in Croydon.

City transport chiefs claim they are considering sending the first four trams to Croydon upon delivery because it presents an ideal opportunity to test them.

But Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville told STV News: "I think that's the TIE spin machine going into action to make the best of a bad news story. They've never shown any interest in the trams going anywhere previously, but now that the building of the depot in Gogarburn is delayed, there is nowhere for the trams to sit.

"I think it's ironic that the only part of the project that seems to be on time is the delivery of the trams, despite there being no track laid and nowhere to house them."

She added: "There will be many questions that people will need answered about the contract which was signed about the trams. I'm disappointed that TIE are being held to taking delivery of this contract and yet they seem unable to keep a grip of the escalating costs from other contractors.

"I fear at this point nothing can be done and we will have second hand trams running if and when this network ever materialises."