Around 14,000 fewer Scots are out of work as the country's unemployment rate dropped below 4%, official figures show.

The number of people unemployed in Scotland was 106,000 between June and August, a fall from 120,000 recorded in March to May, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The jobless rate dropped to 3.9% this quarter from 4.3% in the previous three months - fractionally lower than the UK average of 4%.

It is the lowest unemployment rate posted by any UK home nation bar Wales, which recorded a figure of 3.8%.

However, the statistics reveal the number of Scots in employment is 2,551,000 (74.9%) - down from 2,570,000 (75.5%) recorded in March to May.

This is also under the overall UK employment rate of 75.5%.

The Scottish unemployment rate of 3.9% is an improvement on the 4.1% recorded in the same period last year.

But in June to August 2017, the employment rate was 75.3%, with 16,000 more Scots recorded as in work than in the same quarter in 2018.

Finance secretary Derek Mackay said: "There are now 132,000 fewer people unemployed in Scotland than the recession peak and we continue to outperform the UK on both employment and unemployment rates for women and young people.

"While these results show a decrease in employment, our employment rate has increased over the longer term and remains high by historical standards.

"We have 71,000 more people in employment compared with the pre-recession peak.

"Despite the ongoing risks posed by Brexit, our ambitious economic strategy will create the right environment for job growth.

"This includes commitments on the Scottish National Investment Bank and Manufacturing Institute, and in this year's programme for government we have committed to the biggest infrastructure spending Scotland has ever seen."