Scotland does not need a "divisive" second referendum on independence, according to Downing Street.

The comments were made three days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a second referendum was "highly likely" and is "on the table" following the EU referendum.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said on Monday afternoon that the UK Government's position is Scotland does not need a second referendum on independence.

The comments were made in a briefing to journalists in Westminster.

The spokeswoman said: "The last thing that Scotland needs now is a divisive [independence] referendum".

Following the EU referendum result Nicola Sturgeon said: "Unfortunately yesterday's result in Scotland was not echoed across the UK. It remains my passionate belief that it is better for all parts of the UK to remain in the EU.

"The manifesto that the SNP was elected on last month said this: 'The Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum on if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014 such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will'.

"Scotland does now face that prospect. It is a significant and material change in circumstances and it is therefore a statement of the obvious that the option of a second referendum must be on the table and it is on the table."

When asked to respond to the latest comments by the UK Government, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government pointed STV to comments made by the First Minister on ITV's Peston on Sunday show.

The First Minister said: "If the Scottish Parliament votes to have another referendum in circumstances where that is the only thing that we think we can do to protect our interests then, frankly, it is inconceivable that a Westminster government who have thrust this situation upon us would seek to block that.

"I would seek to seriously caution any Prime Minister, present or future, against doing that. It would be completely democratically unacceptable".