Cancer death rates in Scotland have fallen 9% over the last 10 years, according to the latest analysis from Cancer Research UK.

Announcing the figures on World Cancer Day, the charity has encouraged Scots to wear a unity band or make a donation to demonstrate their support for people affected by the disease.

The number of people being diagnosed with cancer has now reached around 30,200 cases every year, the charity said, meaning that every hour around three people hear the news they have the disease.

In 2003, 358 in every 100,000 people in Scotland died with cancer, but this fell overall by around 9% to 327 people per 100,000 in 2013.

Cancer Research UK says its unity band has two knots to represent unity and strength. They are available for a suggested donation of £2 from all its shops and on its website.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, said: "Today, on World Cancer Day, it’s important to remember that even though the death rates are falling, the overall number of people dying from cancer is expected to increase.

"This is because the population is growing and more of us are living longer. Too many people are still being diagnosed with and dying from cancer, not just here in Scotland but across the UK and around the globe.

"World Cancer Day provides an opportunity for people to ‘band together’ for this one special day and show that united we can beat cancer sooner.

"Thanks to research more people are surviving cancer than ever – but there is still a great deal of work to be done to ensure that more families can stay together for longer.

"Wearing a unity band is a simple way to show your support and be part of the generation that transforms the lives of the millions of people affected by cancer. Together we can all do something to reduce the impact of this devastating disease."

The charity hailed new research as the key factor in reducing the number of lives lost to cancer.

Improved knowledge about preventing the disease, surgical techniques, precisely targeted radiotherapy and more effective drugs have all boosted the survival chances for patients even as the number of diagnoses is increasing due to the ageing population.

For some cancers, however, such as liver and pancreatic, the rates of people dying from the disease have increased over the last decade.