Fuel poverty will affect one in four homes in Scotland this Christmas say Scottish Labour.

The party have launched a new campaign to highlight the issue, with members set to distribute postcards of information over the festive season.

The postcards will ask for the public's view on Labour's policy of taking energy into public ownership.

The party also wants to cap energy prices to keep bills affordable and for tougher targets to be included in the forthcoming Fuel Poverty Scotland Bill.

These targets would include a commitment to eradicating fuel poverty by 2040.

Many households in Scotland spend more than 10% of their income on household fuel.

Scottish Labour's equalities spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: "Scotland is an energy-rich country, yet over a quarter of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty.

"In 2002, the last Labour-led Scottish government set a target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016, but years of inaction from the SNP means that target was missed.

"In the run-up to Christmas, Labour will be highlighting our plans to ensure everyone has access to a warm home with affordable energy bills.

"The next Labour governments at Holyrood and Westminster will take action to end the scandal of fuel poverty."