Two of Edinburgh's independent schools are to merge, it was confirmed last night.

Governors of Clifton Hall and St Serf's claim the move is a "natural progression".

Students and staff of St Serf's - which caters for 100 pupils aged from five to 18 - will move to the 50-acre Clifton Hall campus next August.

The school's substantial property in Edinburgh's Wester Coates, which has a value of around £1.9m, will be sold.

Rod Grant, headmaster at Clifton Hall, which guides the education of 150 children between the ages of three and 11, said: "The merger is a win-win situation for everybody."

The new school will be known as Clifton Hall School (incorporating St Serf's School), and buses will be provided for St Serf's pupils.

Pat Givan, chairman of the board at St Serf's, said: "We have enjoyed fruitful discussions with Clifton Hall and we firmly believe this move is in the best interests of all pupils."