A serial killer is understood to have suffered facial wounds after being slashed while in prison.

Peter Tobin, 68, was taken to hospital after an attack yesterday in HMP Edinburgh, according to reports in the national media.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Tobin is serving three life sentences for murdering three women, including Tillingham teenager Dinah McNicol.

Tobin is from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, and was convicted for Dinah's murder at Chelmsford Crown Court in 2009.