An average of 21 operations were cancelled every day in Scotland last year due to a lack of resources, according to newly released figures.

The statistics were published by Scottish Labour, who say NHS Scotland is "struggling to cope".

Between January 1, 2016, and November 30, 2016, a total of 7096 operations were cancelled due to a lack of "capacity" or a "non-clinical reason by hospital".

NHS Scotland states non-clinical reasons for a cancellation include a lack of beds, staff, equipment or the theatre is "overran".

Scottish Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: "These figures are the clearest indication yet that our NHS is struggling to cope under pressure and isn't getting the resources it needs from the SNP government.

"This analysis suggests an average of 21 operations were cancelled every day in 2016 because the hospital did not have the capacity, resources or even the staff to carry them out.

"This shows that the SNP's mismanagement of the NHS means that patients are being let down. But it also backs-up what NHS staffs are telling us every day - they are under pressure and under resourced."

Health secretary Shona Robison said NHS health boards "never take lightly" the decision to cancel an operation.

Robison said: "Scotland's NHS successfully carries out nearly 900 operations every day. Decisions to cancel planned operations are never taken lightly and we are always working with health boards to make sure we manage capacity and planning in order to keep all cancellations to a minimum.

"Over the last few months, the percentage of operations cancelled for capacity or non-clinical reasons remained stable - representing a very small percentage of the overall number of scheduled procedures taking place.

"Health boards work to ensure disruption to patients is always kept to an absolute minimum, and any postponed procedures will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

"We have made it clear to boards that patients with the greatest clinical need, such as cancer patients, should not have their operations cancelled."