A major supermarket has introduced Scotland's first relaxed supermarket checkout to support dementia sufferers and other vulnerable shoppers.

Tesco is piloting the laid-back aisle at its store in Forres, Moray, in a project supported by Alzheimer Scotland.

The supermarket launched the scheme earlier this month to help customers who would need extra time at the till.

Tesco community champion Kerry Speed said: "Our new relaxed checkout is open to all. Whether a customer has a medical condition which requires them to take things a little easier or they value an extra couple of minutes to chat to their checkout adviser, we want them to be confident they can shop at their own pace."

Ms Speed developed the idea after a dementia information session, which aims to improve inclusion.

She added: "It was highlighted to me that people living with dementia can feel under pressure when they reach the checkout and it struck me that this could be true for others as well.

"Early feedback from customers has been very positive. Although it's a simple gesture, we hope this will make a difference to our customers' shopping experiences."

Wendy Menzies, dementia adviser at Alzheimer Scotland, said: "As part of our ongoing dementia friendly community work we engage with many businesses and workplace organisations both nationally and locally.

"We have supported the local Tesco team at Forres to help raise awareness of dementia and the steps they can take to help make a difference to the lives of people with the condition in the Forres area."

Ms Menzies said she hoped the move would help people to feel confident in continuing to shop independently for longer.

The relaxed checkout will operate in the store on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and will be manned by team members trained by Alzheimer Scotland.