MORE than 90,000 children in Scotland live in "severe poverty", according to a study out today.

Save The Children has classified just under 10% of the country's one million youngsters as living in its worst poverty bracket.

It includes children aged 15 or under living with two parents who live on less than £7000 a year after paying for housing costs.

STC's Living Below the Radar report suggests one third of children in severe poverty cannot afford play equipment such as a bike or a football, while a quarter miss out on going to toddler or play groups once a week.

The report also found around 20% cannot afford to celebrate occasions such as Christmas or birthdays.

Around 72% of severely poor children live in jobless households.

Researchers said a third of households affected are not receiving benefits or tax credits to which they are entitled.

Jane Gibreel, Save the Children's programme director for Scotland, said the figures were an outrage, and called for more government investment.

She said: "These children are hardest to reach, need the most help and the greatest investment to lift them out of poverty."

UK research found that around 1.3million children now live in families on such low incomes that basic needs such as heating and a proper diet are compromised.