RESIDENTS who were evacuated following the partial collapse of a former post office building have been allowed to return to their homes.

Flats and shops surrounding the demolition site in West Port were evacuated on Monday morning when the fourth floor of the building collapsed.

Workers escaped serious injury, although one man was treated at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after he fell to the third floor.

The residents were allowed to return yesterday.

Roads in the area surrounding the building – West Port at its junction with Lady Lawson Street, Lauriston Street and High Riggs – were immediately closed off for safety reasons.

A city council spokesman said the roads would remain closed until the demolition of the former post office building had been completed and that it was not known exactly how long this would take.

Council officers were on site yesterday to help the contractor secure the building was safe. Kenmore Property Group is demolishing the old building to make way for a new development.

The scheme involves the demolition of two bars as well as the former post office building.

A council spokeswoman said: "Roads in the immediate area were closed for safety reasons and to allow access to the building for demolition experts and structural engineers."