The Scottish Government will invest an additional £2.5m to improve cancer care for children, the First Minister has announced.

The money will go towards funding the managed service network (MSN) for young people over the next five years.

Cancer centres across Scotland are linked together through the MSN, which aims to ensure children, teenagers and young adults with cancer have equal access to the best possible care and treatment in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement at the Teenage Cancer Trust's ninth international conference in Edinburgh.

The event brings together some 350 healthcare experts from around the world to discuss how to provide better cancer care for young people.

The First Minister said: "I am delighted to confirm an additional £2.5m over the next five years to improve care for young people with cancer through the MSN.

"In Scotland, we have long placed high importance on delivering the best possible care to young people diagnosed with cancer.

"I know what a bewildering and frightening experience this is for teenagers and it's vital our services are tailored towards their needs in a different way to that of adults."

She added: "In conjunction with the Teenage Cancer Trust, we have several world-class facilities that deliver this and our managed service network is working with the trust to bring this consistency of care across the country.

"This congress is an opportunity for our specialists to learn from international best practice as well as share our expertise. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this dialogue in the coming months."

Siobhan Dunn, the trust's chief executive, said: "Everything that we do at Teenage Cancer Trust is focused on ensuring that young people with cancer receive the best care, treatment and support.

"Over the next three days, we will hear from experts from all four corners of the globe. By working together internationally, we ensure and encourage collaboration to improve the lives of young people with cancer.

"However, our work in Scotland is not done - Teenage Cancer Trust needs to raise £2850 a day to maintain all our services in Scotland."