Hundreds of students who grew up in care are missing out on a bursary scheme due to an age limit of 26, it has been claimed.

Scottish Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale is calling for the age limit on the £8100-a-year scheme to be lifted.

Last month, the Scottish Government announced the expanded bursary package for "care-experienced" students as part of a series of financial measures to help students.

Figures show there are 679 care-experienced students in Scottish colleges aged over 25, and 128 in Scottish universities.

The former Scottish Labour leader and the charity Who Cares say many people who have been in the care system go into further education later in their lives than others.

Ms Dugdale said: "The Scottish Government's decision to introduce a bursary is very welcome, as is the recent decision to increase the payment.

"However, many care-leavers who go to university or college do so later in life because of the traumatic experiences they've had during their childhood.

"They tend to be mature students, so are missing out on this bursary because of the little-publicised age limit set by the government.

"I urge ministers to consider making financial support available for care-experienced students aged 26 and over, so that we can improve the life chances of all care-leavers."

Duncan Dunlop, chief executive of Who Cares, said: "New policies, that come from listening directly to care experienced people, will go a long way in helping some of our members achieve their ambitions.

"The Scottish Government has shown real leadership on this.

"Care experienced people are like everyone else - they have potential, dreams and the ability to achieve them.

"Unfortunately our members who are over the age of 26 are being left to do it all on their own."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are determined to widen access to university and, by the end of this parliament, we will increase funding for student support by over £20m per year.

"This includes an investment this year of more than £5m to increase the bursary for every care experienced young person at college or university to £8100 - equivalent to the Living Wage.

"Careful consideration was given to the eligibility for the bursary based on a range of evidence and discussions with stakeholders.

"The age limit aligns with current legislation to provide 'continuing care' to care leavers up to the age of 26 - a provision that received cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament."