The number of Scottish school pupils studying Higher maths has fallen by 10%.

Analysis by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) of results published this week shows a drop in the number of pupils studying science and mathematics subjects at Higher level compared to last year.

The results showed that 18,868 pupils sat the Higher Maths exam this year, down 10% from 21,074 in 2015.

The figures also showed fewer students are choosing to take Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Higher.

Overall, the number of pupils sitting exams in Scotland in 2016 had fallen by 1.04%, with 197,774 sitting exams this year compared to 199,850 in 2015.

However, the drop in the number of pupils studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects was disproportionately high.

Last year's Higher Maths exam was heavily criticised by pupils, who set up a petition following the 'impossible' paper.

The pass mark was eventually lowered to 34%.

Scottish Labour Education spokesperson Iain Gray said: "These are concerning figures. STEM subjects will be absolutely vital if Scotland is to develop a workforce ready to compete for the jobs of the future. We want to see more young people take these courses, not fewer.

"The fall in pupils studying Higher Mathematics is particularly concerning. Given the problems with last year's paper, with pupils leaving the exam hall in tears, the pass mark dropped and an online petition of complaint attracting thousands of signatures, some pupils may have been put off from studying Maths at Higher level.

"That is a great shame for our young people. The SNP Government should be doing more to encourage young people to study STEM subjects, but that will be made all the more difficult by hundreds of millions of pounds of cuts to schools and local services by the SNP Government. "