Scotsman.com is running a story that Edinburgh zoo is unlikely to have pandas until 2011 at the earliest

There is also a risk that the plans could fall through at the last minute over the costs of bringing the pair to Edinburgh.

The Chinese government has yet to approve a formal bid, and financial details have yet to be finalised.

The Zoo has been in talks with sponsors to raise funds for the pandas, with some money being split between the fee for 'renting' the pandas and money needed for a specially built panda enclosure. Which will mean major re-workings on the infrastructure of the zoo to cope with the increased number of visitors.

A spokeswoman for the Zoo said: "We are working hard to try and finalise details on the arrival of the giant pandas, and a team from the zoo were in China recently.

"We expect a delegation of officials from China to visit Edinburgh later this year to see the facility and discuss further details about the cost and timing of the pandas' arrival."

"I believe the earliest we could expect them to arrive now is 2011, but this is not holding up any work at the zoo."

It is expected that a ticketing system will be used to help staff cope with the demand of visitors to see the pandas.