The hijab has been formally approved by Police Scotland as an optional part of its uniform.

While officers and staff have always had the option to wear the religious headwear, the announcement by the force on Tuesday formally ratifies the hijab as part of the Police Scotland uniform.

The force hopes the move will improve diversity and encourage Muslim women to look afresh working for the police as a possible career option.

Chief constable Phil Gormley said: "I am delighted to make this announcement and welcome the support from both the Muslim community, and the wider community, as well as police officers and staff.

"Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the communities we serve.

"I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to making our staff mix more diverse and adds to the life skills, experiences and personal qualities that our officers and staff bring to policing the communities of Scotland."

Fahad Bashir, chairman of the Scottish Police Muslim Association, said: "This is a positive step in the right direction, and I am delighted that Police Scotland is taking productive steps in order to ensure that our organisation is seen to be inclusive and represents the diverse communities that we serve across Scotland.

"No doubt this will encourage more women from Muslim and minority ethnic backgrounds to join Police Scotland."

A report earlier this year to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) revealed there were 4809 applications to join the Scottish force in 2015/16, of which only 244 (5%) were from other ethnic backgrounds.

Excluding applications from white minorities, the total number of applicants from other ethnic backgrounds was 127 - or just 2.6%.

The report added Police Scotland needs to recruit a further 650 officers from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups to meet the national average.