LOCAL funeral directors may be interested in bidding for an unusual contract – the transportation of dead bodies on behalf of the police.

An information day has been arranged in Edinburgh for next month to explain what is involved to potential contractors.

Before the cost-cutting advent last year of a single Police Scotland force, the eight Scottish constabularies – including Lothian and Borders - made their own ad hoc arrangements with undertakers in their areas to move deceased people around. Now Police Scotland wants to award a formal national contract, broken down into lots based on geographical location.

According to the Scottish Public Contracts website, the task involves uplifting corpses or remains from a locus and transporting them to a local mortuary or holding location.

Secondary transport to a city mortuary may be required if the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Services (COPFS) requests a post mortem. Return transport may also be required.

The contract(s) is/are due to commence on October 1 next year and the information meeting will take place in the capital on January 15 from 3pm till 4pm. Requests to attend should be lodged by January 9 and further details are available from sarah.walker@scotland.pnn.police.uk