Thousands of children will be handed a free pass out of school to attend climate change protests throughout Scotland on Friday.

At least four councils have confirmed they will allow an “authorised absence” to attend if pupils have the permission of their parents.

Nicola Sturgeon praised the passion of children who attended the first strike on February 15, but said that repeated absence from school was “not an option”.

There do not appear to be any arrangements to ensure that children attend the protests and do not simply use them as an excuse for a free day.

Some protesters were smoking cannabis in George Square at the rally in Glasgow last month, which was also attended by college and university students, despite the presence of