Secondary school teachers have voted for industrial action over "severe" SQA-related workloads.

Members of Scotland's largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), voted in favour of action by a 95% margin, although on only a 43% turnout.

Education secretary John Swinney said the results of the ballot were "disappointing".

The EIS has been holding a ballot on statutory industrial action over the past three weeks, which closed on Thursday morning.

It represents more than 80% of Scottish teachers, including the majority of secondary teachers.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said, "Scotland's secondary teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action against the severe workload burden that has been generated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

"This ballot result reflects the frustration of Scotland's secondary teachers over the excessive assessment demands being placed on them and their pupils, particularly around unit assessments at National 5 and Higher, and the EIS now has a very clear mandate to implement an immediate work-to-contract in relation to SQA activity."

Mr Flanagan added: "It is not our intention that this action should impact directly on pupils and teachers will continue to teach classes normally and to assess pupils' work.

He also criticised the Scottish Government, saying: "In August 2014, the then-Cabinet secretary for education, Michael Russell acknowledged the excessive workload demands which had been placed on teachers and outlined a number of actions points, including the removal of duplication between unit assessment and external exams.

"Two Cabinet secretaries later, and two full school years on, not one single unit assessment has been removed. That is why EIS members have voted for action."

"This overwhelming ballot result today should send a very clear message to the Scottish Government, to the SQA, and to Education Scotland, that change needs to happen and to happen quickly."

Education secretary John Swinney said industrial action would "not be in the interests of anyone".

Swinney said: "The result of today's ballot is disappointing albeit on what appears to be a low turnout. Given that we are addressing the issues of teacher workload, industrial action in our schools would not be in the interests of anyone, least of all pupils and parents.

"In my discussions with teachers, I have heard their concerns around workload. The First Minister and I have set out various steps we are taking to tackle bureaucracy and free up teachers to teach, and we are already actively considering further measures.

"We created a working group, which includes the teacher unions, to focus on what more we need to do to embed the new qualifications and to reduce assessment workload for teachers and young people.

"The report on the group's early discussions was published three weeks ago, and clear and specific actions have already been taken at my request by SQA and Education Scotland."

He added: "I intend to personally reconvene that group to drive further progress in reducing unnecessary bureaucracy."