Prison bosses are to sell off a mothballed jail in Perth.

The former HMP Friarton, which merged with nearby Perth Prison in 1999, has been disused since March 2010.

The prison was operating as a young offenders' institution when it closed, preparing prisoners for release from their sentence.

The institution was only a quarter full, with most young inmates held at HMP Polmont which was considered to have better facilities and conditions.

Now the jail, located on the southern outskirts of Perth, is set to go on the open market, despite calls for it to be reopened to ease overcrowding at other institutions.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "The premises have been declared surplus but have not been placed on the market yet.

"We would expect it to go on in the spring time when all our equipment stored there has been removed."

It is not yet known what price the jail will go on sale for.

HMP Friarton became a young offenders institution and was considered a national "top end" facility for category C prisoners arriving from Polmont YOI to serve the remainder of their sentences.

Prisoners had the chance to work with teaching staff to gain qualifications and skills, while partnerships with the Prince's Trust and the Jobcentre gave further access to training.

The SPS said the site would be maintained by staff until it was sold.

The jail was closed at the same time as Noranside open prison in Angus, with all its inmates moved to Castle Huntly, between Perth and Dundee.

The 108-hectare Noranside site is now being marketed by selling agents Graham and Sibbald, who say there has already been interest in the "unique" property.