Scottish veterans are at greater risk of deprivation than any other part of the UK, new research has found.

Leading mental health charity for veterans Combat Stress found that ex-servicemen and women receiving help from the charity in Scotland face higher levels of deprivation in income and employment than their UK counterparts.

The group surveyed over 3000 veterans registered with them across the UK, finding that half of registered Scottish veterans live in the the most deprived three areas of Scotland.

Combat Stress have published the findings on Tuesday in a new research paper called 'Multiple deprivation in help-seeking UK veterans', which the charity say is the first study of its kind in the UK to explore experiences of deprivation in veterans with mental health issues.

The charity used the UK Government's Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) - which measures different social and economic types of deprivations such as financial, health and education - to analyse its sample.

Alongside this, the report used the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, data collected by the Scottish Government in 2012.

Sue Freeth, chief executive at Combat Stress, said: "The findings from our new report highlight the significant challenges that Scottish veterans face.

"The 71% increase in referrals that we have experienced in the last five years illustrates the rising demand for Combat Stress' services.

"We welcome support for veterans and our work from the Scottish Government, including the Scottish Veterans Fund.

"We hope that Government, support agencies and charities can work together to minimise the challenges faced by veterans who are already dealing with a range of complex issues."

The charity treats veterans with conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.