Children could soon be welcomed into pubs in Edinburgh, without being accompanied by an adult.

Signature Pubs, a chain with about 20 venues across Scotland, has asked the city’s council for permission to serve soft drinks and meals to 12 to 15-year-olds without an adult, until 8pm.

It argues that young people need more places to go by themselves, or to meet their friends after school.

However, Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, a leading alcohol campaigner, doesn’t like the idea of children being exposed to places built around alcohol.

He said: “Pubs, however family-friendly, are spaces where alcohol is on display, promoted and consumed all around… we’d like to see greater investment in alcohol-free spaces for young people across Scotland.”