A fatal accident inquiry is to be held over the the Clutha helicopter disaster.

The Crown Counsel have formally instructed that the inquiry be held nearly four years on from the crash.

It has also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to justify criminal proceedings at this stage.

The statement from the most senior lawyers in Crown Office comes just days before the four-year anniversary of the disaster which left ten people dead.

Pilot David Traill and his passengers, police officers Kirsty Nelis and Tony Collins, lost their lives in the crash.

John McGarrigle, Mark O'Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, Samuel McGhee and Joe Cusker, who were in the pub at the time, also died.

A statement from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service detailed that, should further evidence come to light, criminal proceedings could still go ahead.

It added: "Crown Counsel have instructed that the appropriate form of proceedings at this stage is an inquiry into the deaths of all who lost their lives in terms of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016.

"Although the evidence currently available would not justify criminal proceedings, the Crown reserves the right to raise criminal proceedings should evidence in support of that course of action become available to prosecutors.

“The Helicopter Team will now work with Crown Counsel to focus further on the issues that it is considered the inquiry should address and put in place in the preparations for initiating the formal procedure for an inquiry.

“The investigation by the police, with officers working closely with our Helicopter Team has, accordingly, necessarily been wide ranging. It has involved the collection and consideration of a significant volume of documentation, including highly technical manuals and guidance, as well as the taking of detailed statements from witnesses, including professionals in the aviation industry. Some of that material and information has been ingathered from organisations based abroad.

In an investigation such as this, the Police and the Crown require to rely on the cooperation of companies and organisations in relation to, for example, provision of material and availability of witnesses for interview.

“COPFS appreciate that the wait for a decision regarding proceedings must have been extremely difficult and stressful for those affected and we will keep them informed of significant developments.”