The number of youngsters from the poorest parts of Scotland leaving school with at least one Higher has increased, the education secretary has announced.

John Swinney said there was still "more to do" in the education system as disadvantaged pupils still attain the qualification at less than half the rate of their least-deprived peers.

In the most-deprived areas, 42.7% of school leavers in 2015-16 had gained one Higher, an increase of 1.5 percentage points on the previous year.

This compared to 81.2% of school leavers in 2015-16 in the most affluent parts of Scotland being awarded one Higer or more.

Swinney said: "It is encouraging to see the number of young people attaining qualifications at Higher level or above increasing - and I am particularly pleased to see a notable improvement in the proportion of young people who are looked-after and care-experienced gaining a qualification.

"While this is a step in the right direction, there is still more to do to close the gap between our most and least vulnerable children, and raise attainment for all.

"That is what the reforms I announced last week are designed to do.

"By giving more power to schools, including more direct control over budgets, we will empower schools to target resources where they are needed the most to improve the life chances of all of our children and young people."

Overall, the number of school leavers with at least one Higher increased to 61.7% - up from 60.2% in 2014-15 and 55.7% in 2012-13.