The Coca Cola logo on machines will be replaced with a new graphic

The move, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, is aimed at promoting better nutrition among Scots schoolchildren.

The deal was negotiated by Scotland's food and health czar Gillian Kynoch.

She said the company made the move because more children now drank water and healthier drinks and offering a choice was better than an all-out ban.

Instead of the Coca Cola logo, the main image on the machines is being replaced with a graphic of an urban street scene.

It shows young people running and cycling and promotes the need to drink enough fluid rather than a particular drink.

There have been some very positive moves from other major vendors to go in the same way and I'm hoping next year we'll see more of this Gillian Kynoch

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, she said: "It's obvious that children are already moving to drinking other things and we just needed to push things along a little faster, particularly in schools.

"Most parents have been aware over the past two years of how many more children are drinking water, especially in bottles than they were before.

"If you ban it from schools, kids will just buy it on the street. So we want them to stay in school and buy healthier choices.

"Its machines will now offer diet versions, still versions and water."

However, Coke will still be available from vending machines in secondary schools, Mrs Kynoch added.

'Complete ban' call

Coca Cola said it had been working closely with Scotland's 32 councils to promote healthy eating for children.

A spokeswoman said: "We respect the decision of the Scottish Executive to encourage healthy eating in schools and actively support a balanced approach to diet and exercise for Scottish school children.

"We have also worked closely with the executive on providing alternative images for vending machines in schools and we believe that the executive's collaborative approach to this issue has resulted in a positive outcome."

The British Dental Health Foundation is reported to have said that the executive should have gone further and completely banned fizzy drinks machines from schools.

Gillian Kynoch was appointed in response to government concerns about the health of people in Scotland.

'Positive moves'

Among her main tasks is to improve people's eating habits, reducing obesity and the risk of related illnesses.

Ms Kynoch said "it had been a hard year" forging partnerships within the food industry to create healthier options.

"There have been some very positive moves from other major vendors to go in the same way and I'm hoping next year we'll see more of this," she added.

"It's about finding the right partnerships and encouraging companies to work responsibly."