Scotland's sweet tooth is putting the health of the nation at risk, according to a new study.

Cancer Research UK has warned the country is hurtling towards an "epidemic of larger waistlines and increased cancer risk" fuelled by people's love of sweet treats and fast food.

Its new report found 39% of Scots consume confectionery at least once a day, compared to 30% of people in England.

Almost a fifth (18%) of Scots were found to consume a soft drink at least once a day, more than half ate at least one ready meal each week and 16% had fast food or a takeaway once or more each week.

The charity said the findings are concerning because being overweight is the single biggest cause of preventable cancer after smoking and is linked to 13 types of the disease including bowel, breast and pancreatic.

Around two-thirds (65%) of adults in Scotland and 28% of children are overweight or obese.

Cancer Research UK is now calling on the Scottish Government to act to make it easier to shop healthily and improve the diets of Scots.

The charity's cancer prevention expert Professor Linda Bauld, who is based at Stirling University, said: "Scotland's sweet tooth is a huge worry for the health of the nation.

"Sugar should form no more than 5%t of our diet but, on average, both adults and children in Scotland consume much more than this.

"Too much sugar in our diet can lead to weight gain - which is not just linked to cancer but also the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and tooth decay.

"If left unchecked, obesity will lead to a rising tide in ill health, including cancers, and become a crippling burden on the NHS."

The charity said foods on promotion account for around 40% of all expenditure on food and drink consumed at home.

It wants restrictions on supermarket multi-buy discounts on foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt to form part of measures in the expected Scottish Government strategy to improve diets.

Ms Bauld added: "The Scottish Government can and must do more to make it easier to shop healthily and serve up a better future for our young people.

"We need urgent action now to prevent thousands of cancers in the future."