Plans to merge thousands of staff across eight councils in west Scotland appear to have fallen through, after three councils have pulled out and one has delayed its decision.

Glasgow City Council, Scotland's largest local authority, joined South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire in quitting the plans, one day after North Lanarkshire announced it would be delaying a final decision on joining the scheme. Figures produced by Glasgow suggested it could lose £12m over three years through its involvement.