Unemployment in Scotland fell by 14,000 between January and March, the Office for National Statistics has said.

A total of 120,000 people in Scotland are now unemployed, brining the country's jobless rate to 4.4%.

For the second consecutive quarter the unemployment rate north of the border is lower than the UK average (4.6%) and also smaller than the respective rates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The UK figure of 4.5% is the lowest jobless rate since 1975.

A total of 2,620,000 people in Scotland in work.

The Scottish Government's economy secretary Keith Brown said: "Today's statistics show that Scotland's labour market continues to perform well in the face of significant economic challenges.

"Unemployment is down, employment is up and Scotland's youth unemployment rate is the fourth lowest in the EU. This is welcome news."

Brown said the devolved administration will examine ways to decrease economic inactivity in Scotland.

The Office for National Statistics say 22.5% of Scots aged 16 to 64 are neither in work or looking for work.

Reasons for this can include being retired, disabled or in full-time education.